The  Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Department of Irrigation has issued flood warnings for  the Mahaweli River Basin at 6:00PM today (18)

Due to rainfall received since Wednesday night in certain catchment areas of the Mahaweli River, there is a possibility of  flood conditions during the next 48 hours in the low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River within the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions: Kinniya, Muttur, Kantale, Seruvila, Welikanda, Lankapura, Thamankaduwa, and Dimbulagala.

Furthermore, there is a risk of inundation of the Batticaloa–
Polonnaruwa Road (Gallella area), the access road to Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara, and the surrounding areas of the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara.

Therefore, devotees travelling to the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara are kindly requested to avoid travel to the area until further notice.

In addition, the general public residing in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in the above-mentioned areas are requested to remain highly vigilant and to take necessary measures to protect themselves from possible flood conditions.

Relevant Disaster Management authorities are hereby requested to take necessary actions in this regard.