With the northeast monsoon strengthening over Sri Lanka, authorities warn of intense rainfall, dangerous winds, and rising landslide risks as evacuations begin across the Central and North-Central regions.
The Department of Meteorology says showers or thundershowers will occur at times across the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Central and Uva provinces. Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm is expected at some locations in the Northern and Eastern provinces and in the Polonnaruwa district. With northeast monsoon conditions gradually establishing over the island, weather officials warn that unstable conditions are likely to intensify over the coming days.
Showers or thundershowers are also expected in other parts of the country after about 1 pm, with some places experiencing fairly heavy rain of around 75 mm. Fairly strong winds of about 30 to 40 kmph are forecast at times in the Northern, North-Central and Northwestern provinces and in the Trincomalee district. Foggy conditions may also develop in parts of the Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces during the early morning hours. The Meteorological Department urges the public to take necessary precautions to minimize dangers caused by temporary strong winds and lightning associated with thundershowers.
Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Center has instructed District Secretaries to take immediate steps to evacuate people living in vulnerable areas in the districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale to designated safe centers. This directive follows red landslide advisories issued by the National Building Research Organization for high-risk locations in these districts due to prolonged rainfall.
According to the Disaster Management Center, evacuations are scheduled to take place between the 9th and 19th of December. These operations will be carried out in coordination with District Secretaries, officials from the National Building Research Organization, Divisional Secretaries, Grama Niladharis, the Sri Lanka Police and other relevant agencies to ensure public safety during the ongoing rainy period.
In the Kandy district, residents in Hataraliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ududumbara, Pathahewaheta, Medadumbara, Pasbhagekorale, Delthota, Poojapitiya, Gangaihalakorale, Panwila, Gangawatakorale, Udapalatha, Harispattu, Kundasale, Minipe, Doluwa, Thumpane, Akurana, Udunuwara and Pathadumbara have been advised to move to safe locations. In the Kegalle district, evacuations apply to Kegalle, Galigamuwa, Mawanella, Bulathkohupitiya, Aranayake, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana and Warakapola. In the Kurunegala district, Mawathagama, Mallawapitiya and Ridigama have been identified as high-risk areas. In the Matale district, Naula, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Ambangangakorale, Laggala, Pallegama, Ukuwela, Ratthota, Matale and Yatawatta fall under the evacuation advisory.
The Department of Meteorology further stated that the current rainy condition linked to the northeast monsoon may continue until the 19th. Its Forecasting Division Director, Meryl Mendis, confirmed that weather activity remains active across much of the island.
A formal warning statement on heavy rain was issued at 7.30 am today and remains valid for 24 hours until 7.30 am tomorrow. The warning covers the Northern, Eastern and North-Central provinces, where rainfall exceeding 100 mm remains possible. Authorities once again urge people in these regions to remain alert and to take all necessary precautions against strong winds, lightning strikes and landslide hazards.
