The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Level 1 landslide early warnings for parts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura districts, effective from 4 PM on April 23 until 4 PM on April 24.
In Kurunegala, the warning covers the Rideegama Divisional Secretariat Division and surrounding areas. In Ratnapura, six Divisional Secretariat Divisions are under alert: Kuruwita, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Nivithigala, Pelmadulla and Eheliyagoda.
Residents in the affected areas have been urged to stay alert and evacuate immediately if directed by local authorities. The NBRO advises people to watch for warning signs including unusual ground movement, fresh cracks in soil or walls, tilting trees or structures, and sudden changes in spring or well water levels.
The advisory follows severe lightning warnings issued earlier on Thursday by the Department of Meteorology, which cautioned of thundershowers across the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, North-Central, Southern and Uva provinces, as well as Ampara and Batticaloa districts.
Ratnapura has featured in multiple NBRO alerts this month, while Kurunegala is a new addition to the at-risk list. The district sits on the edge of the central hill country and hosts several vulnerable slopes in its eastern divisions.
The NBRO issues Level 1 alerts when rainfall thresholds indicate heightened but not imminent landslide risk. Residents can report concerns to the NBRO’s 24-hour hotline or local disaster management authorities.
