Heavy Rains in Sri Lanka: Emergency Protocols Activated as Rains Exceed 100mm Mark

Unrelenting heavy rainfall has severely impacted daily life across Sri Lanka, triggering flash floods and displacing hundreds of individuals as adverse weather is forecast to persist. Authorities have activated emergency disaster response protocols across vulnerable districts, urging the public to exercise maximum caution as the weather system shows little sign of immediate dissipation.

According to a latest situation report from the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), more than 100 families, totaling 368 individuals, have been directly affected by the severe conditions. The worst hit areas include the districts of Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, and Hambantota, where flash floods and strong winds have disrupted transport networks and damaged infrastructure. The DMC further noted that at least 17 homes have sustained partial damage across the affected regions.

The Department of Meteorology has warned that the unstable weather pattern is expected to continue across most parts of the island until the end of the month. Widespread showers and thundershowers are forecast, with notably heavy rainfall, exceeding 100 mm, anticipated in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Uva, and North Western provinces. In light of the ongoing threat, the Meteorological Department recently issued a severe lightning advisory, placing 12 districts under red alert and 11 districts under amber alert for lightning and associated temporary strong winds.

The heavy precipitation has also raised the threat of landslides. The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early landslide warnings for ten districts, including Badulla, Galle, Gampaha, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura. Residents in these landslide prone areas have been advised to remain highly vigilant for possible slope failures, rock falls, and ground subsidence caused by the persistent wet conditions.

In the commercial capital, the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) has placed its disaster management and emergency response units on full standby to mitigate potential flooding and provide aid. Urban areas, are experiencing deep flooding and traffic paralysis. Officials from the Irrigation Department are closely monitoring water levels in major river basins to provide timely flood early warning messages to the DMC and the general public, as part of their 24x7 flood forecasting service. The public is strongly advised to adhere to all advisories issued by state authorities to ensure safety and minimise risk.

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