The Welipanna Interchange on the Southern Expressway has been temporarily closed.
That is due to the inundation of the Mathugama- Aluthgama main road.
Due to the heavy rains that have been going on for many days, the roads in Colombo have been flooded and traffic and people’s lives have been disrupted.
It is reported that almost 30 such places have been identified in Colombo.
The Colombo Municipal Council is also working to implement temporary, short-term and long-term programs to prevent further flooding of such places.
Several cities including Rathnapura have also been flooded.
With the heavy rains, many lowlands around the rivers Kelani, Kalu, Ging, and Nilwala have been flooded.
In the next 48 hours, the authorities have warned that there is a risk of flooding in Pelmadulla, Niwithigala, Kuruwita, Ayagama, Elapatha and Rathnapura divisional secretariat divisions of Rathnapura district.
Also, the Irrigation Department said that a flood situation may occur in the low-lying areas of Ingiriya, Horana, Dodangoda, and Millaniya divisional secretariats in Kalutara district.
The risk of flooding has increased due to significant rainfall in the upper reaches of the Ging River as well as the upper reaches of the Kelani River.
Meanwhile, the Building Research Institute stated that landslide risk warnings have been issued to 10 districts.
The National Building Research Organization said that these warnings will be effective from 04 am today (02) to 04 am tomorrow.
Accordingly, landslide warning red notices have been issued for Padukka Divisional Secretariat Division of Colombo District as well as 12 Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Kalutara District and Ratnapura District.
Also, landslide warnings have been issued for 41 Divisional Secretariat Divisions in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Galle, Kegalle, Hambantota, Matara and Kurunegala districts.
Meanwhile, it is reported that three members of the same family have lost their lives due to floods in Ellistonwatta, Kekilla area in Puwakpitiya.
Two youths have died after a mound of earth collapsed on a house in Pallewela, Deiyandara.
The meteorological department says that the rainy conditions in the south-western part of the island can be expected today.
The department states that occasional rain or thundershowers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and Southern provinces.
There are several rainy seasons in the North Western Province.
The Department of Meteorology announces that heavy rains of more than 150mm may occur in some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, Galle and Matara districts.
Scattered rain or thundershowers will occur in the rest of the island during evening or night time.
The Department of Meteorology requests the people to take necessary measures to reduce the dangers caused by temporary strong winds and lightning that may occur with thunderstorms.
Below is how the Welipanna area has been flooded and the Welipanna entrance to the Southern Expressway has been closed as a result. Local residents say that Welipanna has been flooded after many years.
