Sri Lanka warns of major flooding after heavy rain

Sri Lankan authorities have issued the highest-level Red flood alert for the Mahaweli River Basin after days of heavy rain, warning of major downstream flooding over the next 48 hours.

The Mahaweli Authority has begun controlled water releases from the Kotmale reservoir, increasing flood risks for downstream communities along the Mahaweli River. Authorities have also closed part of the Colombo–Kandy main road due to the risk of landslides and rockfalls caused by the persistent rainfall.