Disaster Relief Units gear up to face weather related emergencies under the
supervision of the Ministry of Defence
November 26, 2025
The Met Department has issued an extreme weather advisory following the formation of a low - pressure area in the country’s vicinity.
According to the Met Department’s advisory issued this morning (26 November), the existing low pressure area is very likely to intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours, and weather warnings and hazard warnings have been issued for land and sea areas around the island.
Accordingly, several places in the Eastern, Central, North-Central and Uva provinces may experience very heavy rains exceeding 150 mm. Heavy rains exceeding 100mm are also possible in some parts of the country. Occasional showers or thundershowers are expected in most parts of the island. Strong winds of about 50-60 kmph are likely to occur at times in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western, Western and Eastern provinces and in the Hambantota and Matale districts, and these heavy showers and wind conditions are expected to increase in the next few days.
Very heavy showers or thundershowers are also likely in the sea areas around the island, and with this, the wind speed is likely to increase to about 60-70 kmph at times, and sea areas may become very rough at times. The fishing and nautical community is strongly advised to refrain from fishing and navigational activities in the deep and shallow sea areas around the island from today until further notice.
In view of this worsening situation, all emergency response units, including the tri-forces, police, Disaster Management Centre (DMC), and National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), are fully prepared to deal with possible emergency situations under the full supervision of the Ministry of Defence.
All disaster relief teams of the tri-forces are prepared to carry out rescue operations, provide relief and transport displaced persons to safe locations during emergencies, and all resources, including Navy boats and Air Force aircraft and helicopters, are on standby for flood relief operations. The Sri Lanka Police is also ready at the district and divisional levels to ensure safety and assistance required to protect human lives and property.
The Disaster Management Centre, in coordination with all local government institutions, has implemented a National Emergency Response Plan through the Regional Disaster Management Units, and the National Building Research Institute will constantly monitor landslide risk zones and issue necessary early warning notices and, if necessary, immediately evacuate people at risk.
Furthermore, in case of an emergency, the public is also informed to contact the Emergency Response Unit via the 24 - hour hotline 117 or +94 112 136 222 to obtain the necessary disaster assistance. The public is kindly requested to pay attention to the notices issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard, to be vigilant, and to take necessary action to minimise the dangers caused by strong winds and lightning.
By taking appropriate precautions and avoiding unnecessary fear, it is possible to effectively minimise potential damage and safeguard lives and property.
