WATER LEVELS OF KELANI, KALU AND GIN RIVERS RISING
The water levels in the Kelani Ganga, Kalu Ganga and Gin Ganga are rising as a result of the heavy rains experienced in catchment areas, the Disaster Management Centre said (DMC) yesterday.
Accordingly, DMC Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili said Deraniyagala and Kitulgala stations of the Kelani River, Ratnapura station of the Kalu Ganga and Tawalama station of the Gin Ganga are on alert level. “People of the catchment areas have been advised in this regard and they should take prompt measures to evacuate from the vulnerable areas if rains continue to fall,” Kodippili said. Nevertheless, Department of Meteorology said windy and showery condition in Southwestern part of the island is expected to enhance.
“There is a possibility for sudden increase of wind speed up to 70-80 kmph over the island particularly in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, NorthCentral, North-western, Northern and Central provinces and in Trincomalee District after 2.00 p.m.,” it said. Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces. Heavy falls above 150 mm are likely at some places in Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Kalutara Districts. Fairly heavy falls about 75-100 mm are likely at some places in North-western province and in Colombo, Gampaha, Matara and Hambantota districts.
As there may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers, general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity. Meanwhile, National Building Research Organization (NBRO) yesterday warned of possible landslides, rock falls, slope failures, cutting failures and subsidence in three districts - Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura and Kegalle.
NBRO asked people to pay attention to the following pre landslide signs such as Development of cracks on the ground, deepened cracks and ground subsidence
Slanting of trees, electrical posts, fences and telephone posts Cracks in the floors and walls of buildings which are built at slopes Sudden appearance of springs or emerging muddy water “Further, people living in landslide susceptible areas should be extra vigilant and should be ready to move quickly to safe places if heavy rain continues,” it said.