Dec 28, Colombo: As rains continue to lash the central, north central and eastern regions of Sri Lanka, authorities have taken steps to relocate residents of landslides prone areas and warned residents living in the low lying areas of overspilling water reservoirs.

The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has identified 19 locations in the the hilly district of Matale in the Central Province as areas prone to subsidence and landslides and residents of those areas are being relocated to safe areas, Matale District Secretary, Helen Meegasmulla said.

According to the District Secretary residents of various areas in the Matale, Rattota and Ukuwela Divisions that are at risk will be resettled in safer locations with the guidance of the NBRO.

Kurunegala and Matale areas received a heavy rain fall and the Irrigation Department authorities have opened sluice gates of the Rajangana reservoir by 8 feet prompting the Puttalam Disaster Management Centre in the North Western Province to warn the residents in the vicinity of the Daduru Oya and Kala Oya of rising water levels of the streams.

The Irrigation Department has also opened the sluice gates of Parakrama Samudraya, Minneriya and Kaudulla reservoirs in Polonnaruwa district and Hurulu Wewa due to heavy rains and alerted the residents of Mannar, Anuradhapura, Horowpathana, Kahatagasdigiliya, Gallela and Manampitiya to be cautious of possible floods.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department said showers will continue in the Northern, Eastern, North Central and Uva provinces and in the eastern slopes of the central hills and in the Hambantota district.