The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide warnings to areas in Colombo, Kalutara, Kegalle and Rathnapura districts after heavy rains pounded the South West of the island yesterday and today July 20.

Traffic was reduced to a crawl across the Greater Colombo area as flooded streets made the morning commute much more difficult than usual.

Meanwhile, landslide warnings have been issued in Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Bulathsinhala, Walallawita and Palindanuwara in Kalutara, Dehiowita in Kegalle district and Kuruwita and Eheliyagoda in the Rathnapura district.

NBRO states that since these areas have received rainfall in excess of 100mm during the past 24 hour period, the residents in the areas are asked to be ready to move to a safe location if the rains continue.

The Meteorology Department also issued an advisory for heavy rain stating that prevailing showery conditions in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern provinces is expected to continue during the next 12 hours while heavy rainfalls about 100mm are likely at some places.

The Department also states that the highest rainfall of 219 mm was reported from Dehiowita in Kegalle district during the 24 hour period that ended at 8 a.m this morning.

Due to the active cloudiness in the sea area to the south of Sri Lanka, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the deep and shallow sea areas to the south of the island

The possibility for heavy showers/thundershowers and sudden roughness, associated with a sudden increase of wind speed (up to 70-80 kmph) in the above given deep-sea areas is high.

The sea area extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle can be rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times.

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard in the above sea areas.

https://economynext.com/heavy-rains-to-continue-for-the-next-12-hours-as-landslide-warnings-are-issued-to-four-districts-in-the-south-west-72161/