Minor flood warning issued for low-lying areas of Mahaweli River

A formal minor flood warning has been issued by the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Irrigation Department for communities residing in low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River basin. The alert follows several hours of relentless and torrential rainfall across the river's upper catchment areas in the central hills.

Hydrological monitoring stations situated along the river have observed a steady and notable rise in water discharge and surface levels, edging dangerously close to minor flood thresholds. Downstream settlements, agricultural lands, and access roads in flood-prone valleys are facing an imminent threat of inundation if rainfall in the catchment zones persists at current rates.

Disaster management officials have instructed divisional secretariats and emergency response teams to remain on standby to assist affected residents. Families living within the historical flood zones of the Mahaweli River have been strongly advised to secure essential belongings, move livestock to higher ground, and avoid venturing into swollen river channels or using inundated causeways.