Minor Flood Warning Issued for Kuda Ganga Amid Heavy Rainfall

The Irrigation Department has issued a minor flood warning for the Kuda Ganga following a sharp rise in water levels amid heavy rainfall across several river catchment areas.

At 6.30 a.m. today (21), the water level at the Kalawellawa (Millakanda) gauging station had reached 6.59 metres. This is above the minor flood threshold of 6.50 metres.

Several other river monitoring stations have also recorded water levels reaching alert levels. These include Hanwella on the Kelani Ganga, Ratnapura and Magura on the Kalu Ganga, Baddegama and Thawalama on the Gin Ganga, Thalgahagoda and Panadugama on the Nilwala Ganga, and Dunamale on the Attanagalu Oya.

According to the Irrigation Department, water levels continue to rise at the Baddegama station on the Gin Ganga and at Thalgahagoda on the Nilwala Ganga. Levels at a number of other monitoring points, however, have begun to decline gradually.

Significant rainfall was reported across several river basins during the 24-hour period ending at 6.00 a.m. today.

Nawalapitiya received the highest recorded rainfall at 93.9 mm, followed by Kithulgala with 91.1 mm, Giriulla with 79.3 mm, Deraniyagala with 77.9 mm and Magura with 74.2 mm.

Authorities have advised residents in low-lying areas, especially communities located near the Kuda Ganga, Gin Ganga and Nilwala Ganga, to remain alert and monitor updates on changing water levels.