Inclement weather in 4 districts: 1 dead, 203 affected, 39 houses damaged

• 17 in safe shelters
• 150 mm+ ‘Red’ rain warning issued 
• Low-pressure area in NE to move away and weaken 
• Landslide reported in Wellawaya, warnings issued
• Dense fog envelopes roads
• Colombo-Puttalam rail line operations restricted 
•  Reservoirs continue spilling  

One person died and 62 families across four Districts were affected by adverse weather yesterday (13). The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported the fatality from the Koralai Pattu South Divisional Secretariat (DS) Division in Batticaloa District. Across 17 DS divisions, 203 individuals have been affected, with 17 currently in safe shelters and 39 houses damaged.

The Meteorology Department issued a Red warning for heavy rainfall, with very heavy showers exceeding 150 mm expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western Provinces and in the Galle and Matara Districts. Heavy showers of around 100 mm are likely elsewhere. The highest rainfall in the past 22 hours was recorded at Kesbewa with 204 mm. The low-pressure area north-east of Sri Lanka is expected to move northward and gradually weaken over the next 48 hours, though showery conditions will persist islandwide for the next two days. The public has been urged to take precautions against heavy rain, strong winds and lightning.

A landslide was reported in the Maha Aragama Ulkanda region within the Wellawaya DS Division, where a large section of slope has collapsed, bringing down earth and uprooted trees. The Monaragala District Disaster Management Unit is assessing the damage and will implement necessary mitigation measures. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Level Two (Amber) landslide warnings until 9 a.m. today for parts of Badulla, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy and Ratnapura Districts, and Level One (Yellow) warnings for areas across Badulla, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Matara, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura Districts. Residents in landslide-prone areas are urged to monitor early warning signs, clear drainage systems, evacuate immediately if necessary, and alert authorities.

Dense fog has been affecting the Talawakelle, Nuwara Eliya and Hatton, Nuwara Eliya roads since yesterday morning, hampering visibility and disrupting traffic. Police advised motorists to use headlights and drive cautiously. The Welipenna Interchange entrance to the Southern Expressway was inundated, preventing light vehicles from entering towards Colombo. The Road Development Authority urged expressway users to heed electronic signboard warnings, maintain safe following distances, keep speeds around 60 km/h, and avoid sudden braking under the reduced-visibility conditions.

Train services on the Colombo–Puttalam line were restricted to the Chilaw Railway Station following flooding at several locations in the Thilladi area. Services will operate only between Colombo Fort and Chilaw, with return services commencing from Chilaw this morning.

Sixteen major and 17 medium-scale reservoirs under the Irrigation Department are currently spilling. These include the Rajanganaya (Anuradhapura), Ambewela (Badulla), Mau Ara, Lunugamvehera, Thissa Wewa, Weerawila, Yoda Wewa and Weheragala (Hambantota), Abakola Wewa, Usgala Siyambalagamuwa, Magalla and Deduru Oya (Kurunegala), Nalanda and Wemedilla (Kandy), Alikota Ara (Monaragala) and Yoda Wewa (Mannar) reservoirs. Six spill gates each of the Lunugamwehera and Weheragala Reservoirs are releasing over 4,100 and 2,400 cubic feet of water per second into the Kirindi Oya and Menik Ganga respectively. Residents in low-lying areas along the Kala Oya, Nilwala River and surrounding waterways have been urged to remain on high alert.

A school holiday was declared yesterday for selected grades at Telijjawila Royal College in Matara due to landslide risk, with classes suspended for Grades 6–9 and A/L students. Grades 10, 11 and the primary section continued as normal.

Source - The Morning