A landslide has blocked the Nallathanniya-Sri Pada road at Ehela Kanuwa, cutting the main pilgrimage route to Adam’s Peak, as heavy rain continues across the central hills.
Hatton Senior Superintendent of Police Pradeep Weerasekara said a section of slope near Ehela Kanuwa collapsed onto the road in the prevailing wet weather, obstructing traffic. A team has been deployed to clear the debris and restore access. Motorists and pilgrims travelling to Sri Pada via Nallathanniya have been advised to exercise caution until the road is fully cleared.
Warnings extended for four districts
The National Building Research Organisation has extended Level 2 (Amber) landslide warnings for a further 24 hours, from 9.00 a.m. on Thursday to 9.00 a.m. on Friday.
The Amber warnings cover Divisional Secretariat divisions and surrounding areas in four districts:
- Kandy — Udadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Deltota, Pasbage Korale, Doluwa, Medadumbara, Panwila and Udapalatha
- Kegalle — Yatiyanthota, Bulathkohupitiya, Dehiowita, Aranayaka and Deraniyagala
- Nuwara Eliya — Talawakelle, Ambagamuwa, Norwood, Kotmale East, Kotmale West and Nuwara Eliya
- Ratnapura — Opanayake, Imbulpe and Ratnapura
Level 1 (Yellow) warnings apply to the Kegalle divisional secretariat area and to Nivithigala and Kuruwita in the Ratnapura district. Residents in landslide-prone areas have been told to stay alert and take precautions.
Troops on standby
The Ministry of Defence says tri-forces teams have been placed on standby for disaster response in the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, coordinated with the Disaster Management Centre and the NBRO.
Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara said particular attention was being given to low-lying and landslide-prone areas at Ulapane, Gampola, Nawalapitiya and Peradeniya. The public has been asked to contact the DMC emergency hotline on 117 in an emergency.
The Met Department expects the rainy and windy conditions over the southwest of the island to intensify and persist for several days under an active southwest monsoon, with falls above 100 mm at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Galle districts.
Sources: Daily Mirror, Ada Derana, NewsFirst, NewsFirst.
