Colombo, Sri Lanka – 13 August 2026 – Sri Lanka’s key river basins are reporting normal water levels across the island, according to a special report released by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) today. The update, compiled at 9:30 AM on August 13, 2026, indicates no immediate flood threats despite scattered rainfall in certain areas over the past 24 hours.
Islandwide River Status Remains Stable
The DMC’s comprehensive monitoring of major rivers, including the Kelani Ganga, Kalu Ganga, Mahaweli Ganga, Gin Ganga, and Nilwala Ganga, shows that all gauging stations are well below their Minor Flood, Major Flood, and Alert levels. This consistent “Normal” status provides reassurance to communities residing along these vital waterways.
For instance, the Kelani Ganga, a critical river impacting Colombo and surrounding areas, recorded levels of 0.45 ft at Nagalagam Street and 1.77 m at Hanwella, significantly below its respective alert levels. Similarly, the Kalu Ganga at Rathnapura stood at 1.32 m, far from its 5.20 m alert level, and the Mahaweli Ganga at Peradeniya registered 3.24 m against an alert level of 5.00 m.
The report details readings from numerous tributaries and rivers across various basins, all consistently indicating stable conditions. This includes the Gurugoda Oya, Seethawaka Ganga, Kehelgamu Oya, Maguru Ganga, Kuda Ganga, Urubokka Ganga, Walawe Ganga, Kirindi Oya, Menik Ganga, Kumbukkan Oya, Heda Oya, Maduru Oya, Yan Oya, Maa Oya, Malwathu Oya, Mee Oya, Deduru Oya, Maha Oya, and Attanagalu Oya. The consistency across these diverse locations underscores a generally calm hydrological situation nationwide.
Rainfall Distribution Over 24 Hours
While river levels remain stable, the DMC report also provided data on daily rainfall recorded between 8:30 AM on August 12 and 8:30 AM on August 13, 2026. The highest rainfall was observed in the Gal Oya Basin, with Ampara recording a notable 40.7 mm. Other significant rainfall figures include:
- Laxapana (Kelani Ganga Basin): 14.0 mm
- Norton (Kelani Ganga Basin): 8.5 mm
- Kukulegama (Kalu Ganga Basin): 8.0 mm
- Castlereigh (Kelani Ganga Basin): 5.0 mm
- Canyon (Kelani Ganga Basin): 4.0 mm
- U.Kothmale (Mahaweli Ganga Basin): 3.2 mm
Despite these localized showers, the overall impact on major river levels has been minimal, preventing any rise to cautionary or flood stages. Most other stations reported trace amounts or no rainfall during the 24-hour period.
DMC Continues Vigilant Monitoring
The continuous monitoring by the Disaster Management Centre, with input from the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division, ensures timely updates on the country’s water situation. This proactive approach allows authorities to keep the public informed and respond swiftly to any changes in weather patterns or water levels.
The current normal status provides a welcome relief, especially given Sri Lanka’s vulnerability to seasonal monsoons. The DMC encourages the public to stay informed through official channels for any future updates.
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