Rising rivers bring minor flooding as heavy rain continues across Sri Lanka

November 13 update: morning gauges and a separately dated Nilwala warning

The Irrigation Department's table issued at 6.30am on November 13 records conditions measured at 6am, Sri Lanka time. Baddegama on the Gin Ganga was at 4.17m, Thalgahagoda on the Nilwala at 1.84m and Panadugama on the Nilwala at 6.36m. All three were classified as minor flood. Panadugama was falling compared with 6.38m at 5am; the other two readings were unchanged. These are station observations at a stated time, not live measurements or proof that every nearby property was flooded.

Kalawellawa (Millakanda) on the Kuda Ganga measured 6.08m, below its 6.50m minor-flood threshold but above its alert threshold. Magura was at 4.10m, Moraketiya on the Walawe at 3.14m and Dunamale on the Attanagalu Oya at 3.45m; these were also marked alert. Magura, Millakanda and Dunamale were falling in the table. Falling water at selected gauges does not establish an all-clear for every river or low-lying area.

A separate Amber warning, issued at 6.30pm on November 12 and valid until 6.30pm on November 13, describes a possibility of minor flooding in low-lying parts of the Nilwala floodplain in Akuressa, Athuraliya, Malimbada, Kamburupitiya, Thihagoda and Matara Divisional Secretariat areas. It asks residents and motorists travelling through those areas to exercise extreme caution. That warning's risk area and validity period are distinct from the published report gauge readings; the update does not extend its expiry or say all six areas were already flooded.

The November 13 weather forecast expects a temporary reduction in showers, but still predicts rain in the east and thunderstorms at some places later in the day. Residents should follow fresh DMC and Irrigation Department notices rather than treat lower rainfall or a falling gauge as cancellation of a warning. Earlier reports below refer to earlier dates and conditions.

Earlier dated reports

Update November 12, 2026: A dated Irrigation Department table hosted by the Disaster Management Centre records minor-flood levels at Baddegama on the Gin Ganga and Thalgahagoda on the Nilwala Ganga at 9pm on November 11, Sri Lanka time. The document itself is timestamped 9.30pm. Seven other gauges were at alert level: Magura, Kalawellawa, Thawalama, Panadugama, Urawa, Moraketiya and Dunamale. This is a historical gauge snapshot, not a live flood warning, not a forecast of flooding at every nearby home, and not a continuation of an earlier warning’s validity period. Conditions can change; follow the latest official DMC and Irrigation Department advisories. Earlier reports below describe earlier conditions and should not be read as current levels.

Earlier reports

Several Sri Lankan rivers are rising as heavy rain continues, with minor flooding reported in low-lying areas along the Gin Ganga. The Irrigation Department's November 10 account replaces earlier water-level snapshots, which should not be treated as a description of current conditions.

Minor flooding has been reported around Baddegama, Thawalama, Nagoda and Welivitiya-Divitura. Nearly 160 millimetres of rain was recorded at Dellawa in the Gin Ganga's upper catchment. Officials also reported significant rises in the Nilwala Ganga, with low-lying areas approaching minor flood level.

The Kalu Ganga and its tributary the Kuda Ganga were nearing minor flood levels around Millakanda. Low-lying areas in Bulathsinhala and Palindanuwara were identified as at risk. The Attanagalu Oya had reached minor flood level at the Dunamale gauge. Water levels were also rising in the Kelani and Walawe rivers.

Around 40 families in the Nugayaya Grama Niladhari Division were affected after spill gates opened at the Alikota Ara Reservoir. The Disaster Management Centre said affected residents had been advised to move to safety centres.

Earth slips disrupted traffic on the Ella-Passara road near Mawussagolla and the Hatton-Nuwara Eliya road near Kuda Oya. Landslide warnings covered nine districts: Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura, with higher-level warnings in some divisions.

The report describes conditions and warnings at the time of the update, not a forecast that every named community will flood. People in affected areas should follow the latest instructions from local disaster-management and irrigation authorities.