A minor flood situation in the Kelani River

The Department of Irrigation announces that due to the active southwest monsoon weather condition affecting the island, heavy rainfall is being experienced in the upper and middle stream areas of the Kelani River basin, and as a result, there is a risk of a minor flood situation occurring along the river within the next 48 hours. This risk will directly affect the low-lying areas of the Kelani River valley, especially those belonging to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Dehiowita, Ruwanwella, and Seethawaka.

This flood warning issued by the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Department of Irrigation today at 7:30 AM will be valid until 7:00 AM the day after tomorrow. Authorities emphasize that residents in those areas, vehicle drivers on the roads, and those using the river should exercise extreme caution and vigilance, as the river's water level may rise rapidly due to heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology states that showers may occur from time to time in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and North Western provinces, as well as in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, and Matara districts, with the possibility of heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm in some places. Furthermore, strong winds ranging from 40 to 50 kilometers per hour are expected across several provinces and districts of the island, with a few showers expected in Matale, Anuradhapura, and Hambantota districts, and mainly dry weather expected in other areas.

Weather authorities warn that coastal sea areas from Jaffna to Mannar, Puttalam, Chilaw, Negombo, Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota, extending to Pottuvil, could be very rough due to increased wind speed with the adverse weather. In light of this situation, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has taken steps to temporarily ban small and one-day fishing vessels from going to sea, and vessels already at sea have been instructed to return to land safely as soon as possible.