The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Level-1 landslide warnings for four districts effective from 4 PM on April 13 to 4 PM on April 14, coinciding with Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations.
The warnings cover specific Divisional Secretariat areas in Kandy, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura districts, triggered by heavy rainfall across the central highlands.
The affected areas are:
- Kandy: Yatinuwara DS division
- Kegalle: Warakapola, Kegalle and Rambukkana DS divisions
- Nuwara Eliya: Nuwara Eliya and Ambagamuwa DS divisions
- Ratnapura: Imbulpe, Kuruwita, Openayake, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura DS divisions
Residents in these areas have been urged to remain alert and evacuate immediately if directed by local authorities. The timing is significant as many Sri Lankans are travelling or gathered with family in hill country areas for Avurudu festivities.
The landslide alert adds to earlier lightning advisories issued for 18 districts on Avurudu day. Weather authorities have warned of continued rainfall in the central and southern highlands through the holiday period.
Authorities have asked residents to report any unusual ground movement, cracks in soil or tilting of structures to the NBRO’s 24-hour hotline.
