Water levels in several major reservoirs across the island are rising rapidly amid the prevailing heavy rainfall, the Irrigation Department said.

Director of the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department, L.S. Sooriyabandara, said a significant increase in rainfall has been observed in the wet zone.

He said water levels in the major river systems, including the Nilwala Ganga, Gin Ganga, Kalu Ganga, Mahaweli Ganga, Kelani Ganga and Attanagalu Oya, are currently rising rapidly due to the rainfall received.

Sooriyabandara said areas in the upper catchments of the Kelani Ganga and Mahaweli Ganga received nearly 150mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours.

He added that the Irrigation Department is closely monitoring the situation and will take steps to alert the public regarding any flood warnings issued in the coming hours.

He further said water levels in the Mahaweli Ganga have risen to major flood levels in the Nawalapitiya area.

Accordingly, residents in Nawalapitiya, Peradeniya, Gampola and surrounding areas have been urged to remain highly vigilant.

Meanwhile, water levels along the Kelani Ganga are also rising in areas including Norwood, Kitulgala and Avissawella.

Residents in Avissawella, Kitulgala, Yatiyantota and Norwood have therefore been advised to remain alert.

Although the Attanagalu Oya is currently showing a normal increase in water levels, the situation could develop into a significant flash flood due to the increasing rainfall, he warned.

Water levels in the Kalu Ganga, including at Ratnapura and Millakanda, as well as in the Maguru Oya, have also increased significantly, with minor flooding already reported in some areas.

Residents in areas along the Kuda Ganga, including Bulathsinhala and Palindanuwara, have also been urged to remain vigilant.

Sooriyabandara further said significant rainfall has been received in Ratnapura and surrounding areas along the Kalu Ganga, and residents in those areas should remain alert.

Meanwhile, some areas in the upper catchments of the Nilwala and Gin Ganga have received more than 100mm of rainfall.

As a result, water levels in areas including Thawalama, Hiniduma and Nagoda are also rising.

He said water levels in the Nilwala Ganga are gradually increasing and urged residents in low-lying areas around Akuressa and Pitabeddara to remain vigilant depending on the rainfall received in the coming hours.