The Irrigation Department has warned that critical flood conditions have already developed in low-lying areas across the basins of six major rivers, with water levels expected to rise further.

According to the Department, continuous heavy rainfall over the catchment areas—along with water level readings from its gauging stations—indicates that major flood situations are now occurring in the following river basins:

Mahaweli River

Deduru Oya

Maha Oya

Kala Oya

Menik Ganga

Malwathu Oya

The public living near these rivers is strongly urged to remain extremely vigilant and take all necessary safety measures as the situation continues to escalate, the Red Alert notice stated.

Residents in low-lying areas along both banks of these rivers are advised to evacuate to safer locations immediately.

Meanwhile, disaster management authorities have been requested to take all essential actions to manage and respond to the worsening flood situation.