The Irrigation Department has issued a warning of potential flooding in several low-lying areas across the Deduru Oya and Attanagalu Oya basins, following heavy rainfall in the catchment areas.
The Department has said water levels in the Deduru Oya were reaching overflow levels due to a significant rainfall in the upper and middle catchments. The spill gates of the Deduru Oya reservoir have been opened, releasing 19,400 cubic feet of water per second, with the discharge expected to increase depending on incoming water levels.
The Department warned that low-lying areas in the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Wariyapola, Nikaweratiya, Mahawa, Kobeigane, Bingiriya, Pallama, Chilaw, Arachchikattuwa, and Rasnayakapura could face flooding in the coming hours.
Meanwhile, substantial rainfall was reported across the catchment areas of the Attanagalu Oya Basin as of 6 am yesterday. Analysis of current rainfall and river water levels at hydrological stations indicates that low-lying areas along Attanagalu Oya and Uruwal Oya valleys, including Divulapitiya, Mirigama, Attanagalla, Mahara, Gampaha, Minuwangoda, Ja-Ela, Katana, and Wattala, may experience flooding within the next 48 hours.