Water levels in several rivers across the country are rising amid the prevailing rainy weather conditions, the Department of Irrigation stated.

Water levels in the Kelani, Nilwala, Gin, Walawe and Kuda Ganga rivers, as well as the Attanagalu Oya, have been reported to be rising.

With the rising water levels of the Gin Ganga, minor flooding has also been reported in the areas of Baddegama, Thawalama, Nagoda and Welivitiya-Divitura.

Explaining the prevailing situation, Director of the Water Management Division of the Department of Irrigation, L.S. Sooriyabandara, stated that the highest rainfall of nearly 160 millimeters had been recorded in the Dellawa area in the upper catchment areas of the Gin Ganga.  

He said that a significant rise in water levels had been observed in both the Gin Ganga and Nilwala Ganga due to the prevailing weather conditions.

"In particular, water levels in the low-lying areas of the Nilwala Ganga have reached levels close to minor flood level. Similarly, low-lying areas of Thawalama and areas surrounding Baddegama have experienced minor flooding.

"There is a possibility that low-lying areas in populated areas, particularly in Nagoda could become inundated.

"Meanwhile, the Kalu Ganga, particularly around Millakanda, and the Kuda Ganga, a tributary of the Kalu Ganga, are also nearing minor flood levels. Low-lying areas in Bulathsinhala and Palindanuwara are already at risk of inundation.

"The water level of the Attanagalu Oya, particularly at the Dunamale water gauging station, has also risen to minor flood level," he said.

Meanwhile, the opening of spill gates at the Alikota Ara Reservoir due to heavy rainfall has affected around 40 families in the Nugayaya Grama Niladhari Division.  

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) stated that residents of the affected houses had been advised to move to safety centers.

Meanwhile, traffic along the Ella-Passara main road has been disrupted following an earth slip in the Mawussagolla area.

The DMC further stated that traffic along the Hatton-Nuwara Eliya main road has also been disrupted due to an earth slip in the Kuda Oya area.

In addition, landslide warnings have been issued for nine districts across the country.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Level 1 warning covering the districts of Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura.

Level 2 landslide warnings had been issued for several Divisional Secretariat divisions in the districts of Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Galle, Kandy and Badulla.