Nuwara Eliya schools close due to bad weather

Due to the heavy rainfall experienced during the past 24 hours, water levels in the upper catchment areas of the Mahaweli, Kelani, and Kalu rivers have risen rapidly, states Engineer L. S.

Sooriyabandara, Director of Hydrology and Disaster Management at the Department of Irrigation. Specifically, rainfall close to or exceeding 200 mm has been recorded in the upper areas of the Mahaweli River basin, namely Nawalapitiya, Nanuooya, and Watawala. Consequently, flood warnings have been issued to residents living along the Mahaweli River between Nawalapitiya and Peradeniya, and although water levels have not risen rapidly yet, a gradual increase is observed. While some areas experienced an immediate rise in water levels due to rainfall exceeding 70 mm last night, the Department of Irrigation expects this situation not to escalate to a critical disaster level.

Meanwhile, due to rainfall between 100 mm and 150 mm in the upper catchment areas of the Kelani River, namely Laxapana and Norwood, water levels in the upper basin, including Kitulgala, have risen. Although these water levels have started to recede, there is a risk of low-lying areas from Norwood, Kitulgala, Avissawella, and Hanwella experiencing flood conditions. Furthermore, with approximately 100 mm of rainfall received in the upper areas of Ratnapura, the water level in Ratnapura has also reached a risk level, and several low-lying areas are observed to be inundated. However, despite receiving 50-75 mm of rain around the Nilwala and Gin rivers, there is no flood risk in those areas, and the Maha Oya and Attanagalu Oya basins have not received significant rainfall.

Considering the prevailing adverse weather conditions, the Provincial Director of Education has stated that the authority to decide whether or not to conduct schools located in the Nuwara Eliya and Hatton educational zones of the Central Province has been vested with the respective principals.

The Department of Meteorology confirms that the sky will remain cloudy in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Eastern, and Southern provinces, with intermittent rain or thundershowers possible in these areas. Specifically, heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm may occur in some places in the Sabaragamuwa Province, as well as in the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts. Several rain spells are expected in the Western, North Western, and North Central provinces, and rain or thundershowers may occur in the Mullaitivu district after 2:00 PM. Additionally, strong winds of about 40-50 kmph are expected in the North Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central, and North Western provinces, and the public is requested to take precautions to protect themselves from lightning hazards and temporary strong winds.