Flood warnings issued as water levels of Kelani river, Attanagalu Oya rise

Residents in Hanwella, Nagalagam Street, and Glencoe area surrounding the Kelani river have been warned of minor flooding owing to heavy rains experienced in the last 24 hours.

The Irrigation Department said that water levels had reached 15.3 metres in height edging closer to the minor flood limit of 16.5 metres.

Major flood warnings were issued to the residents of Negombo, Ja-Ela, Katana, Minwangoda, Gampaha, and Attanagalle, due to rising water levels of the Attanagalu Oya in the Dunamale area.

Meanwhile, landslide warnings have been issued to the Badulla, Kalutara, Ratnapura and Kegalle districts, as today's weather forecast predicted showers to continue.

The Meteorological Department has also warned that wind speeds will range between 70 - 80 kmph in the seas off the Northern, Southern, and South-Eastern regions.

More than 5000 persons had been affected in the Puttalam district due to the inclement weather, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

The most affected were those residing in Wennappuwa Divisional Secretariat, with figures just above 1300.

Strong winds and floods have also damaged 49 houses in the district. The DMC District Office in Puttalam stated that 42 families have been moved to safer locations.

(Additional Reporting and pics by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe)