Minor flood levels were recorded at two river stations in southern Sri Lanka on Wednesday night, and seven more stations reached alert levels after heavy rain, according to the Irrigation Department.
In its hydrological report issued at 9.00 pm on 11 November, the department said minor flood levels were recorded on the Gin Ganga at Baddegama and on the Nilwala Ganga at Thalgahagoda.
Alert levels were reported at Magura on the Maguru Ganga, Kalawellawa on the Kuda Ganga and Thawalama on the Gin Ganga. The Nilwala Ganga at Panadugama, the Urubokka Ganga at Urawa, the Walawe Ganga at Moraketiya and the Attanagalu Oya at Dunamale also reached alert levels.
Water levels were rising at several stations, including Magura, Thawalama, Urawa, Moraketiya and Dunamale. The department said this points to a continuing flood risk in low-lying areas nearby.
Magura recorded the highest rainfall in the 12-hour monitoring period, at 99.4 mm, followed by Thawalama with 93.6 mm and Glencourse on the Kelani Ganga with 71.2 mm. All seven monitoring stations in the Kelani Ganga basin remained at normal levels at 9.00 pm despite the heavy rain there.
Separately, the Marine Forecasting Division of the Department of Meteorology issued a strong winds and rough seas bulletin for the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, effective from 3.00 pm on 11 November.
On the first day of the three-day forecast, winds of 40 to 50 kmph are expected in the designated sea areas, gusting up to 60 kmph, and the sea will be rough at times. On the second day winds are forecast to reach 50 to 60 kmph, gusting up to 70 kmph, making the sea very rough. Similar conditions are expected on the third day.
Background
The Irrigation Department monitors water levels at gauging stations along the main river basins and publishes regular reports. Stations are classed as normal, alert, minor flood or major flood, depending on how far the water has risen toward the bank level at that point.
The Gin Ganga, Nilwala Ganga and Walawe Ganga flow through the Southern Province and nearby districts. Low-lying settlements along these rivers have been affected by flooding in earlier rainy seasons.
The Department of Meteorology issues marine bulletins for the seas around the island, and its warnings are directed mainly at the navy and fishing communities.
What it means
Residents of low-lying areas near the Gin Ganga, Nilwala Ganga and the other rivers named in the report should follow official updates, because water levels at several stations were still rising when the report was issued.
Fishing crews and naval personnel working in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea have been asked to remain vigilant while the strong winds and rough seas are forecast. People can follow the latest river and weather information from the Irrigation Department and the Department of Meteorology.
