Although water levels in several major rivers have risen, there is currently no indication of an imminent flood threat in any of the country’s major rivers, the Irrigation Department said.

Director of Irrigation (Hydrology & Disaster Management) Engineer L. S. Sooriyabandara said significant rainfall had been recorded in several major river basins over the past 24 hours.

Around 125 mm of rainfall was recorded in several areas near Baddegama in the lower Gin River basin.

In the Kalu River basin, rainfall of around 75 mm was recorded in Ratnapura in the upper reaches, while nearly 100 mm was reported from areas near Kesbewa in the lower basin.

Areas around Colombo also recorded close to 100 mm of rainfall, according to the Irrigation Department.

Rainfall of between 50 and 75 mm was recorded in areas around Badulla, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya in the upper Mahaweli River basin, while nearly 100 mm was reported from areas near the Gal Oya basin in Ampara.

The Batticaloa District recorded close to 75 mm of rainfall, while several areas in the Anuradhapura District received nearly 40 mm, according to the Irrigation Department.

However, Sooriyabandara said there has been no rapid rise in water levels in most rivers so far.

Although water levels in the Gin, Nilwala and Kalu rivers and the Attanagalu Oya in the wet zone remain elevated, they have not reached flood levels at present.

The Irrigation Department warned, however, that further significant rainfall in these areas could increase the risk of flooding.

Irrigation Director Sooriyabandara said the current rainfall has been particularly intense, with large amounts of rain falling within short periods, and warned that localized flooding could occur in low-lying areas under these conditions.