COLOMBO : Two people died during the unprecedented rains in the Kegalle district on Saturday, the Disaster Management Center announced here on Saturday.
The police said a person,48, died after being swept away by currents in Wattarama and a woman ,65, is missing after earth embankment collapsed in Waldeniya, Kegalle.
The Meteorology Department predicted rainfall to exceed 155 mm in most parts of the island. So far, 1,805 people have been affected and 385 houses were damaged due to the floods.
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the landslide hazards warning to include a total of 10 districts.
The NBRO this morning (16) had issued an early landslide warning for 8 districts in the country.
Updating the warning, the NBRO has warned several areas in Galle, Matale, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Matara, Kegalle, Colombo, Nuwara Eliya, Kurunegala and Kandy districts of possible landslides.
Level 2 (Amber) alert has been issued for the following areas as the rainfall has exceeded 100mm within the past 24 hours:
Galle District: Baddegama Divisional Secretariat Division and surrounding areas
Ratnapura District: Pelmadulla, Rathnapura, Elapatha, Nivithigala, Kalawana and Kiriella Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas
Kegalle District: Bulathkohupitiya, Warakapola Rambukkana, Galigamuwa Kegalle and Dehiowita Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas
Kurunegala District: Mawathagama and Polgahawela Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas
Nuwara Eliya District: Ambagamuwakorale Divisional Secretariat Division and surrounding areas
People living in the aforesaid areas are urged to be on alert on the possibility of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cut failures and ground subsidence, and to be ready to evacuate to a safe location if the need arises
In addition, level 1 (yellow) warning has been issued for the following areas as the rainfall has exceeded 75mm within the past 24 hours:
Galle District: Akmemana, Elpitiya, Niyagama, Nagoda, Thawalama, Bope Poddala, and Neluwa Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas
Matale District: Ukuwela Divisional Secretariat Division and surrounding areas
Ratnapura District: Eheliyagoda, Kuruwita and Ayagama Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas
Kalutara District: Agalawaththa, Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala, Walallawita, Horana, Ingiriya and Mathugama Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas
Matara District: Pitabeddara and Kotapola Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas
Colombo District: Seethawaka Divisional Secretariat Division and surrounding areas
Kegalle District: Aranayake, Yatiyantota and Deraniyagala Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas
Kandy District: Gangaihalakorale and Thumpane Divisional Secretariat Divisions and surrounding areas
People are advised to be watchful on the possibility of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence, if the showery condition continues.
Due to the prevailing bad weather conditions, fishing vessels including multi-day fishing boats have suspended fishing activities until further notice, the Fisheries Department said.
The Department of Meteorology announced today that the low pressure area still persisting over the south east Bay of Bengal and adjoining south Andaman sea area is likely to intensify further and move north-westwards and it could increase to a depression in the next 12 hours.
Fishing and naval community are requested to be vigilant regarding the weather, as the sea areas around the island can be fairly rough and the sea area extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota will be rough to very rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds up to 70-80 kmph and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers, the Department warned.
Those who are currently engaged in fishing in these areas have been advised to come to land or shelter immediately.
Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) says that there is a risk of landslides in the Galle and Matale Districts due to heavy rains.
A spokesman for the organization said that this danger has arisen in the Baddegama, Galle, Kadawathara, Akmeemana, Elpitiya, Niyagama and Bope Poddala divisions in the Galle District and the Ukuwela Divisional Secretariat in the Matale District.
The spokesperson further stated that those living in the hills and slopes in the areas should be vigilant and the residents of the places where the red announcements have been issued should go to the safe places.