The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) today issued a level 3 evacuation (Red) alert to Ratnapura area on possible landslides due to adverse weather conditions prevailing in the country.
The NBRO noted that people who live in high hazard areas identified shall be evacuated to safe locations.
However, Embilipitiya, Godakawela, Imbulpe, Kahawatta, Kolonna and Welidapola divisional secretariats have been noticed with level 1 warning requesting the general public to be watchful for possible landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence. Ayagama, Elapatha, Kalawana, Kiriella, Opanayake, Balangoda, Kuruwita, Eheliyagoda, Pelmadulla and Nivithigala divisional secretariats have been alerted on a level 2 warning. Accordingly the NBRO advised the general public in the above mentioned area to be on alert for possible landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence. The warnings are valid until 2.30 p.m. tomorrow (22).
Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department issuing a heavy showers warning valid until 2.30 p.m tomorrow(22) stated that the showery condition in the South-western part of the island is expected to enhance to some extent during next 24 hours due to the development of low level wind convergence in the vicinity of the island.
The department furthered that “Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and Galle and Matara districts. Heavy falls about 100 mm can be expected at some places. Wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times over the island. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity during thundershowers.”
On marine weather forecast, the Department requested the Naval and fishing communities operating in the deep and shallow sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambanthota to be vigilant since the wind speeds in these sea areas can increase up to (60-65) kmph at times. It also said that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.
The Department furthered that “The deep and shallow sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankasanturai and Galle to Potuvil via Matara and Hambantota will be rough or very rough at times. The other sea areas around the island can be rough at times.”