The Department of Meteorology warns that the deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal, which was located 110 km to the east of Trincomalee at around 11.30 a.m. today (27), is likely to move closer to the east coast of Sri Lanka and further intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next few hours.

Under the influence of the system, cloudy skies will prevail over most parts of the island while very heavy showers and strong gusty winds can be expected in Northern, North-central, Eastern, Northwestern and Central provinces, it said.

Issuing a “Red” advisory, it said showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Central, Western and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Kegalle districts.

Very heavy showers above 150 mm are likely at some places while showers will occur at times elsewhere of the island too. Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places, the department said.

The warning further said that the deep and shallow sea areas around the island will be rough to very rough as the wind speed can be increased up to 60-70 kmph at times. Very heavy showers or thundershowers are likely at some places areas around the island.

The swell waves (about 2.5–3.0 m) height may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Kankasanthurai via Trincomalee (this is not for land area).

The Met. Department said there is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Kankasanthurai via Trincomalee may experience surges due to swell waves.

Naval and fishing communities are warned not to venture to the deep and shallow sea areas around the island until further notice. They are also requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

The general public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation from November 26 to 27 and to contact the local disaster management authorities for emergency assistance.

They are also requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

Flood warnings
The Irrigation Department has issued a flood warning for several low-lying areas of Kelani River Basin, effective until 10:30 a.m. on November 29, 2024.

Similarly, another flood warning has been issued for several low-lying areas Kala Oya Basin effective until 9:30 a.m. on November 29, 2024.

It states that considerable rainfall has occurred in some of the upstream and middle reach catchment areas of Kala Oya Basin as of 8.00 a.m. today (27).

In addition to that, the Rajanganaya Reservoir which is maintained by the Irrigation Department is spilling with a discharge rate of 10000 cubic feet /sec currently.

Meanwhile, there is a possibility of increasing the spill discharge of the Rajanganaya reservoir, the department said.

Leave cancelled
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands, and Irrigation directed Department of Irrigation and Mahaweli Authority engineers managing reservoirs to remain at their workplaces as heavy rains persist.

Accordingly, leave for these officials were, and they are tasked with assisting Divisional Secretaries and ensuring safety measures for residents near overflowing reservoirs.

The Ministry also instructed a committee to monitor the situation and inform the public in high-risk areas, including Akkaraipattu and the Nilwala River, of potential hazards.

Landslide warnings extended
Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has extended the ‘Level 3 (Red)’ Landslide Early Warning  issued to several divisional secretariat divisions (DSDs) in Kandy, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts urging the residents of these areas to evacuate to safer locations. 

Accordingly, the Level -3 warning, valid for the next 24 hours, has been issued for the following divisional secretariat divisions and surrounding areas:

Kandy District – Harispattuwa, Medadumbara, Kandy Four Gravets or Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Doluwa,  Yatinuwara, Udapalatha, Pathahewaheta, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara and Delthota 

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

Nuwara Eliya District – Walapane Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD) and surrounding areas

The warning states that since the rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 150 mm in the above areas, residents are advised to evacuate toe safer locations in the rain continues to avoid the risk of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence.