The Meteorological Department yesterday issued a flood warning for several areas as torrential rain has led to the water level rising in several rivers, officials said yesterday. They said that the water levels had begun to rise in the Kalu Ganga, Maguru Ganga, Kuda Ganga and the Nilwala Ganga posing a flood threat to the surrounding areas and called upon residents to be alert at all times. The official said the flood warnings were issued to residents in Baddegama and Thalgahagoda, Panadugama while major flooding was reported from Kalawellawa.
Ralupaula, Ellagawa, Ratnapura and Magura have also been placed on a flood alert, the officials said.
Around 200 people have been affected by the inclement weather and are being accommodated at Government centres, the officials said.
Officials of the Department of Meteorology said that more rain was forecast over the weekend.
They said showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North Western provinces and in the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts. Fairly heavy showers above 50mm can also be expected at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and in the Galle, Matara and Puttalam districts while a few showers will occur in the Anuradhapura district, they said. Showers or thundershowers may also occur at a few places in the Uva Province, and in the Batticaloa and Ampara districts during the evening or night, according to the officials. Fairly strong winds of around 40-50 kmph can be expected at times in the Northern, North Central, and North Western Provinces and in the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.
The public have been called upon to take adequate precautions to minimise damage caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers, the officials said.
Showers or thundershowers will also occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo, Galle and Matara.
