BREAKING: Evacuation Warning for 4 Districts as Landslide Threat Escalates

by Staff Writer 07-12-2025 | 6:24 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st); The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued a Level 3 – Evacuation Warning, the highest landslide alert level, effective for the next 24 hours from 1600 hrs on 7th December.

The warning comes amid intensifying rainfall and worsening ground saturation following days of devastating floods across Sri Lanka.

According to the advisory, residents in multiple high-risk divisions across Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Matale districts are strongly urged to evacuate immediately to safer locations.

Districts Under Level-3 Evacuation Warning

KANDY DISTRICT:

Ganga Ihala Korale, Thumpane, Medadumbara, Akurana, Kundasale, Udunuwara, Doluwa, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Harispattuwa, Minipe, Gangawata Korale, Pasbage Korale, Panvila, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Pathadumbara, Deltota, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha

KEGALLE DISTRICT:

Warakapola, Aranayaka, Galigamuwa, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya, Yatiyanthota, Mawanella

KURUNEGALA DISTRICT:

Rideegama, Polgahawela, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Mawathagama

MATALE DISTRICT:

Yatawatta, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Pallepola, Laggala Pallegama, Rattota, Naula, Ukuwela, Wilgamuwa

NBRO warns that continuous rainfall has caused dangerous soil movement, increasing the likelihood of slope failures, rockfalls, and earth slips—conditions that can occur without warning.

A Nation Already Reeling from Flood Devastation:

The landslide threat adds pressure to a country already struggling with widespread flooding that has affected hundreds of thousands. Over the past week, Sri Lanka has witnessed:

- Dozens of communities submerged as rivers burst their banks

- Critical infrastructure damaged, including roads and bridges

- Families displaced, with many sheltered in temporary relief centres

Ongoing multi-agency humanitarian operations, including the massive Sirasa Sahana Yathra relief effort delivering aid by land, water, and air.

Residents in the evacuation-listed areas are urged to leave their homes at once and relocate to safer ground, as Level-3 warnings indicate that landslides are either already occurring or imminent.

For more information, the public is advised to visit www.dmc.gov.lk or call the Disaster Management Centre hotline 117.

Sri Lanka continues to brace for additional rainfall in the coming hours as emergency teams race to protect vulnerable communities.