23 People have been killed and over 160,000 people are affected in 20 Districts

Update 6 (28^th May)

Heavy pre-monsoon rains in Sri Lanka continued from 20th May 2018, have killed at least twenty-three people, and more than 160,000 people are affected in 20 District as of yesterday.

Water levels of main rivers are currently showing normal levels in many stations. However, Kalu Ganga & Attanagalu-oya is at flood level but falling slowly.

South-west monsoon has gradually establishing over Bay of Bengal however air circulation is in the vicinity of south-west of Indian sea area and wind speed can be increased time to time.

Update 5 (27^th May)

WEATHER SITUATION

The Prevailing heavy rainy condition in the South-Western part of the island is expected to reduce temporarily from today. Fairly strong gusty winds about 50kmph can be expected over the island.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces.

Light showers will occur in Mannar and Jaffna districts.

Fairly heavy falls about 75mm can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Kaluthara, Galle and Matara districts.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

Update 4 (26^th May)

SITUATION SUMMARY

The Prevailing extreme weather condition in Sri Lanka have killed at least 19 people and over 150,000 people are affected in 20 Districts as of today.

Flood levels of main rivers are currently receding and showing normal levels in many stations. However, Kalu Ganga, Maha-Oya, Attanagalu-oya is at flood level due to continuous rains during last 72hours.

Some of reservoir gates are opened to release of flowing water from other areas to reduce flood threat.

NBRO has still given landslide threat to Ratnapura, Kalutara, Badulla, Kegalle, Kandy, Matale, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle, Colombo and Kurunegala due to earth slips, cut failures and rock falls.

In Kelani, Nilwala, Gin, Malwathu-oya, Maha-Oya rivers and some areas of Attanagalu-Oya shows flood levels as of 26th May.

Red Cross Response

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society volunteers continues to provide relief, rescue and aid support to the people affected from flash floods and landslides in Sri Lanka.

The Rathnapura Branch distributed drinking water bottles and water cans for the affected people at Kithulpe GN Division in Kuruwita, Rathnapura this morning. A first aid post was set up at the premises as well.

Over 8578 families have been affected due to floods and landslide in Rathnapura District alone.

Our Gampaha Branch distributed drinking water bottles to those who are stranded in various affected places in the Gampaha District.

We are the first response team to reach Yabaraluwa North area which is affected by the flood waters.

The Gampaha Branch will distribute water bottles and will provide First Aid as well as medical assistance to the affected communities in Bollagala, Malwana, Mabima West and East areas today as well.

In Kegalle – Medical and First aid services provided to the affected communities in Kegalle District today as well.

Update 3 (25^th May)

The Prevailing extreme weather condition in Sri Lanka, have killed at least sixteen people, and more than 130,000 people are affected in 20 District as of today, according to the Disaster Management Centre reports.

Flooding and subsequent potential landslide threat has forced the evacuation of people in low-lying areas where four main rivers have reached flood levels currently at normal level except Attanagalu-Oya, while five districts (Kegalle, Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura & NuwaraEliya) are on “red alert” for possible landslides.

Spill gates of reservoirs in North-western area had to be opened and 20 spill gates of Thabbowa reservoir has been opened. NBRO has still given landslide threat to Ratnapura, Kalutara, Badulla, Kegalle, Kandy, Matale, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle, Colombo and Kurunegala due to earth slips, cut failures and rock falls.

River water levels at many stations are gradually decreasing, in Kelani, Nilwala, Gin, Malwathu-oya, Maha-Oya rivers and some areas of Attanagalu-Oya river shows flood levels as of 25th May.

Meanwhile more rains have been forecasted by the Department of Meteorology for the next 48hrs.

Red Cross response

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society volunteers continues to provide relief, rescue and aid support to over 100,000 people affected from flash floods and landslides in Sri Lanka.

In Gampaha, our volunteers of the Gampaha Branch distributed 3000 water bottles to the affected communities with the support of the Coca-Cola Sri Lanka today.

Meanwhile our Colombo branch provided first aid services to flood affected communities in Kolonnawa, Mulleriyawa and Kaduwela areas today.

The Colombo Branch also distributed water bottle to the people who are affected in Kaduwela area today. The Mahanama College Junior Red Cross Circle supported this task.

UPDATE 2 (25^th May)

WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

As per the Forecast issued by the Meteorology Department for the next 24hours prevailing rainy condition in the south-western part of the island is expected to continue.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces. Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere particularly after 2.00 p.m. Showers or thundershowers will occur in Jaffna, Mannar and Mullaitivu districts in the morning too.

Heavy falls about 100-150 mm can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Western, Central and North-Western provinces and in Galle, Matara districts.

Fairly heavy falls, above 50 mm can be expected at some places in the Northern Province.

UPDATE 1

WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE NEXT 24 HOURS.

As per the Forecast issued by the Meteorology Department for the next 24hours the prevailing rainy condition in the South-western part of the island is expected to continue. Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces.

Heavy falls, about 100-150 mm can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Western, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara districts.

Meanwhile Red Cross Branch Disaster Response Teams, Volunteers and staff are continuing the humanitarian assistance for the people affected due to the prevailing inclement weather.

In Puttalam district the Gampaha Branch is distributing cooked food, drinking water and relief items in Lunuwila, Wennappauwa area today as well.

The Ratnapura Branch is also distributing drinking water to the affected communities in Galapugama GN, Kuruwita.

Colombo Branch is providing first aid services at Safe Centres in Kaduwela.

Gampaha Branch is providing first medical and first aid assistance in as well.

Nuwara Eliya Branch is providing assistance for the landslide victims in Madakumbura area.