Landslide warnings issued to five districts

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Department of Meteorology predicts showers will occur at times in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts, with fairly heavy showers above 50mm expected at some places.

The Department predicts several spells of showers in the North-western province and in the Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya and Hambantota districts. 

The Met. Department also predicts showers or thundershowers at several places in the Uva and Eastern provinces during the evening or night.

Early landslide warnings have been issued to the Galle, Kalutara, Kegalle, Matara and Ratnapura districts. 

Senior scientist at the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) Wasantha Senadeera said Level 1 early landslide warnings were issued to the Elpitiya and Nagoda divisional secretariats of the Galle district, the Dodangoda, Agalawatte, Matugama and Walallawita divisional secretariat of the Kalutara district and the Dehiowita, Bulathkohupitiya, Yatiyanthota and Deraniyagala divisional secretariats of the Kegalle district.

Level 1 early landslide warnings were also issued to the Pasgoda and Pitabeddara divisional secretariats of the Matara district and the Eheliyagoda divisional secretariat of the Ratnapura district.

Senadeera urged residents of hilly areas to remain vigilant due to the prevailing showers and evacuate to safety if necessary.