Heavy Rain Forecast to Continue; Landslide Warnings Remain in Effect

The Department of Meteorology says showers exceeding 75mm are likely at several locations in the Sabaragamuwa Province and the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts today.

Director of Forecasting at the MET Department Merril Mendis said rainfall over the island's southwestern region is expected to intensify again from tomorrow.

Speaking to Newsfirst, Mendis stated that the SouthWest Monsoon is activated over the island and intermittent showers can be expected across the island today. 

Showers of about 50-75mm are expected inn Sabaragamuwa Province as well as in the Kandy and NuwaraEliya Districts. 

Meanwhile, the Department of Irrigation said the Mahaweli River from Peradeniya to Nawalapitiya continues to remain at alert level.

Reservoir Engineer Anura Seneviratne said three spill gates of the Kotmale Reservoir are scheduled to be reopened at 7:00 a.m. today.

The flood warnings previously issued for the Kelani and Kalu river basins were lifted yesterday afternoon.

However, red landslide warnings remain in effect for several Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Kandy, Kegalle, and Nuwara Eliya districts.

The warnings apply toUdudumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy District, Yatiyantota in the Kegalle District and Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya District.

Meanwhile, all schools in the Hatton Education Zone will remain closed today due to the prevailing heavy rainfall.

However, all other schools in the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts are scheduled to operate as usual.