The Watawala area has experienced over 660mm of rain in four days, with a single day recording the highest daily rainfall in the country, prompting authorities to warn residents in vulnerable zones about increased landslide dangers.
The Watawala region in Sri Lanka's central highlands has been subjected to exceptionally heavy rainfall over the past four days, accumulating approximately 661 mm according to the National Building Research Organisation. The precipitation peaked on a single day when 204 mm fell in Watawala alone, marking the highest daily rainfall recorded anywhere in the country during that period, as confirmed by Senior Scientist Dr. Wasantha Senadheera of the NBRO.
The adverse weather has affected a broader area beyond Watawala, with the Ambagamuwa Divisional Secretariat Division experiencing between 150 mm and 500 mm of rainfall over the preceding three days. Dr. Senadheera attributed the intensity of these rainfall events to the effects of global climate change, noting that concentrated heavy precipitation occurring within short timeframes has become an increasingly frequent occurrence.
While acknowledging the severity of current conditions, Dr. Senadheera clarified that the present weather situation does not match the scale of rainfall experienced during Cyclone Ditwah, when significantly higher amounts were recorded. Nevertheless, the sustained heavy precipitation in the highlands has substantially elevated the risk of landslides and earth slips across the region. Authorities have consequently urged residents in landslide-prone areas to maintain heightened vigilance and adhere closely to official weather warnings and advisories issued by meteorological services.
