Leaving
Level 1 · WatchTue 10 Nov
Watch on 60 km between Ella and Wellawaya
Around Ella and Wellawaya, km 0–60.
It starts where you set off; you are through it by Tue 12:50.
NBRI’s bulletin is valid until Tue 20:00, so it covers that time.
NBRI’s advice, as issued
Since the rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 75mm, if the rain continues, be watchful on the possibility of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence.
NBRI, issued Mon 9 Nov, 20:00 · valid to Tue 10 Nov, 20:00lankawatch.org
Your road · 169 km~3 h 10 min
NBRI WatchNot listedOutside NBRI areaRiver crossingRain gaugeNo report
- Ella to Wellawaya
Watchkm 0–60 - Not listedkm 60–64
- Outside NBRI’s landslide area: the bulletin says nothing herekm 64–104
- Not listedkm 104–105
- Outside NBRI’s landslide area: the bulletin says nothing herekm 105–144
- Thihagoda to Matara
Not listedkm 144–169
LandslideWatch1 stretch · NBRI’s adviceRainModerate rain, up to 12.2 mm in 24 hLast 3 days, satellite: About 1–2 days a month are this wet hereWeatherNo advisory for this roadRivers19 crossingsThalgahagoda: Alert level · steady · Walawe Ganga basin rain: Rare here (1–2 days a month) · rain upstream of Walawe Ganga: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Level 1 · WatchTue 10 Nov
Watch on 60 km between Ella and Wellawaya
Around Ella and Wellawaya, km 0–60.
It starts where you set off; you are through it by Tue 12:50.
NBRI’s bulletin is valid until Tue 20:00, so it covers that time.
NBRI’s advice, as issued
Since the rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 75mm, if the rain continues, be watchful on the possibility of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence.
NBRI, issued Mon 9 Nov, 20:00 · valid to Tue 10 Nov, 20:00lankawatch.org
Your road · 176 km~3 h 50 min
NBRI WatchNot listedOutside NBRI areaRiver crossingRain gaugeNo report
- Ella to Wellawaya
Watchkm 0–60 - Embilipitiya to Padalangala
Not listedkm 60–114 - between Padalangala and Yatiyana
Outside NBRI’s landslide area: the bulletin says nothing herekm 114–152 - Yatiyana to Matara
Not listedkm 152–176
LandslideWatch1 stretch · NBRI’s adviceRainAbout 1–2 days a month are this wet hereLast 3 days · Satellite estimateWeatherNo advisory for this roadRivers16 crossingsThalgahagoda: Alert level · steady · Walawe Ganga basin rain: Rare here (1–2 days a month) · rain upstream of Walawe Ganga: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Next update usually today by 17:45.
Before you go
We don’t know about road closures or damage. Be cautious on the way, especially in the hills in rain.
About the Ella–Matara road
The fastest road we know from Ella to Matara is 169 km, about 3 h 10 min, via Wellawaya, Thihagoda.
Main roads on it: Southern Expressway (75 km), Hambantota-Wellawaya Road (45 km), Wellawaya-Ella-Kumbalwela Road (27 km).
We show 2 roads between them, fastest first.
DS divisions on this road
It passes through 17 DS divisions in 5 districts, in travel order:
- Ella
- Wellawaya
- Thanamalvila
- Lunugamvehera
- Hambantota
- Sooriyawewa
- Embilipitiya
- Ambalantota
- Angunakolapelessa
- Tangalle
- Weeraketiya
- Beliatta
- Kirinda Puhulwella
- Devinuwara
- Thihagoda
- Malimbada
- Matara Four Gravets
Past NBRI bulletins
Most often listed on this road, in the 41 NBRI bulletins we have passed on since Sun 20 Sept: Ella (8), Wellawaya (4), Kirinda Puhulwella (1).
A record of past bulletins, not a forecast. Not being listed doesn’t mean safe.
Steep terrain
About 9 km of it runs through steep terrain (slopes over 30° beside the road). The longest stretch is near Ella.
Terrain beside the road, from a satellite elevation model: not the road’s gradient and not a landslide hazard rating.
How to read this
- Not an official service. NBRI’s warnings are passed on as issued.
- Rain levels compare each division with its own satellite record since 2000. Satellites can miss heavy local downpours.
- Gauge sources: Department of Meteorology and Irrigation Department gauge readings, passed on as published. Met gauge sites are approximate. Compared with each division's own satellite record since 2000. This is not a warning and does not replace NBRI's levels. Satellites can miss heavy local downpours, so it never means a road is safe. Satellite data up to 10 Nov, 05:30. Checked Tue 10 Nov, 11:30.
Was this page useful?Thanks, noted.
Landslide (NBRI)
×| Warned DS division | Level | From km |
|---|---|---|
| Ella | Watch | 0 |
| Wellawaya | Watch | 14 |
Rain on route
×Moderate rain, up to 12.2 mm in 24 h
Rain gauges near your route
12345678910
0169 km
Key
DryLight rainModerate rainHeavy rainVery heavy rainNo rain report
- 4 Wellawaya, ≥ 8.5 mm, light rain or more (incomplete day)
- 7 Mattala, 12.2 mm, moderate rain
- 8 Moraketiya, ≥ 12.1 mm, moderate rain or more (incomplete day)
7 gauges not reporting.
Gauge coverage: part of the route.
NBRI's warning stays in force after rain eases.
Satellite estimate
- Last 3 days: among the wettest 5% of 3-day periods since 2000 in Embilipitiya.
Rain outlook (computer model) · Next day: Chance of a rare wet day
- Next day: a chance of a wet day of the kind that comes about 1–2 days a month in Ella, Wellawaya, Thanamalvila, Lunugamvehera +3 (the wettest 5% of days there; several times the usual chance). (10 Nov, 05:30 to 11 Nov, 05:30)
- Next 3 days: a chance of a wet day of the kind that comes about 1–2 days a month in Ella, Wellawaya, Thanamalvila, Lunugamvehera +6 (the wettest 5% of days there; several times the usual chance). (10 Nov, 05:30 to 13 Nov, 05:30)
- "Not signalled" never means dry or safe. This is a computer model, not a warning, and it never changes NBRI's levels. Like the satellite, it reads hill-country rain low and can miss heavy local downpours.
- ECMWF ensemble forecast (open data, CC BY 4.0), run 9 Nov, 17:30, compared with each division's own satellite record.
Weather forecast (Met Dept)
×No advisory for this road
- No Department of Meteorology advisory is in force for Badulla, Moneragala, Hambantota, Ratnapura and Matara.
- Forecast issued 10 Nov, 05:30
- Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern province and in Trincomalee district.
- Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere in the island after 1.00 p.m.
- Covers Ratnapura, Badulla, Moneragala and Matara on this road: Heavy falls above 100mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
- Covers Hambantota and Matara on this road: Showers may occur in the coastal areas of the Southern Province during the morning.
- The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
- Covers Ratnapura, Badulla, Moneragala and Matara on this road: Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts during the early hours of the morning.
- A forecast never lowers or replaces the NBRI landslide warning above.
- Forecast and advisories by the Department of Meteorology, Sri Lanka, as issued. LankaWatch is not an official service.
Rivers and catchments
×Crosses 15 named rivers · 9 basins · Walawe Ganga basin rain: Rare here (1–2 days a month) · rain upstream of Walawe Ganga: Rare here (1–2 days a month) · Alert level
Kirindi Oya · Malala Oya · Walawe Ganga …
ThalgahagodaAlert level · River level 1.65 mDepartment’s thresholds: Alert 1.4, minor flood 1.7, major flood 2.8 m
River basins along this road
- km 0–78 · Kirindi Oya basin
- km 78–90 · Malala Oya basin
- km 90–108 · Walawe Ganga basin
- km 108–117 · Kachigal Aru basin
- km 117–124 · Urubokka Ganga basin
- km 124–131 · Rekawa Oya basin
- km 131–138 · Kirama Oya basin
- km 138–144 · Seenimodara Oya basin
- km 144–169 · Nilwala Ganga basin
Satellite rain over these basins
- Walawe Ganga basin · Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
- Kachigal Aru basin · Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
- Urubokka Ganga basin · Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
- Nilwala Ganga basin · Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
A whole-basin satellite average against that basin’s own record since 2000, not the area upstream of any one point. Satellites under-read hill rain. Not a warning.
Where this road crosses a river or stream
- km 2–4 · Kirindi Oya · 4 crossings · flows east
18 km² drain to this point - km 20–25 · Kirindi Oya · 4 crossings · flows south-west
89 km² drain to this point
Wellawaya, an Irrigation Department gauge 15.6 km downstream (179 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)): at least 8.5 mm in the 24 hours to 10 Nov, 08:30 (1 hourly reading missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 11:02.
River level 1.63 m · Below Alert · steady over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 4.4, minor flood 5.4, major flood 5.9 m) - km 22 · Kunapad Ara (Kirindi Oya basin) · flows south
98 km² drain to this point - km 27 · Radapola Oya (Kirindi Oya basin) · flows south-east
16 km² drain to this point - km 30 · Galamola Ara (Kirindi Oya basin) · flows south-east
6.2 km² drain to this point - km 33–35 · Kirindi Oya · 3 crossings · flows south
0.1 km² drain to this point
Wellawaya, an Irrigation Department gauge 1.1 km upstream (179 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)): at least 8.5 mm in the 24 hours to 10 Nov, 08:30 (1 hourly reading missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 11:02.
River level 1.63 m · Below Alert · steady over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 4.4, minor flood 5.4, major flood 5.9 m) - km 37 · Dambakola Ara (Kirindi Oya basin) · flows south-east
3.1 km² drain to this point - km 38 · Kirindi Oya · flows south
233 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
Wellawaya, an Irrigation Department gauge 6.6 km upstream (179 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)): at least 8.5 mm in the 24 hours to 10 Nov, 08:30 (1 hourly reading missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 11:02.
River level 1.63 m · Below Alert · steady over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 4.4, minor flood 5.4, major flood 5.9 m) - km 53 · Kuda Oya (Kirindi Oya basin) · flows east
300 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
Kuda Oya, an Irrigation Department gauge 0.5 km upstream (299 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)): no complete 24-hour total (2 hourly readings missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 11:02.
River level 1.78 m · Below Alert · falling over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 6.9, minor flood 8.4, major flood 8.8 m) - km 67 · Kirindi Oya · flows south-east
2.0 km² drain to this point
Thanamalwila, an Irrigation Department gauge 9.3 km upstream (696 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 24 hours: Unusual here (3 days a month)): no complete 24-hour total (4 hourly readings missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 11:03.
River level 1.97 m · Below Alert · falling over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 4, minor flood 5, major flood 5.5 m) - km 86 · Malala Oya · flows south
256 km² drain to this point - km 92 · Maha Ara (Walawe Ganga basin) · flows south-east
0.1 km² drain to this point - km 97 · Mahakadawala Ara (Walawe Ganga basin) · flows south-west
23 km² drain to this point - km 97 · Mahaweligada Ara (Walawe Ganga basin) · flows south-west
23 km² drain to this point - km 104 · Walawe Ganga · flows south-east
2,201 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Moraketiya, an Irrigation Department gauge 13.9 km upstream (1,541 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)): at least 12.1 mm in the 24 hours to 10 Nov, 08:30 (2 hourly readings missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 11:02.
River level 2.95 m · Below Alert · falling over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 3, minor flood 5, major flood 7 m) - km 134 · Kirama Oya · flows east
115 km² drain to this point - km 140 · Sinimodara Oya · flows east
20 km² drain to this point - km 155 · Kanduwela Ela (Nilwala Ganga basin)
35 km² drain to this point - km 158 · Nilwala Ganga · flows south
659 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
Thalgahagoda, an Irrigation Department gauge 2.6 km upstream (655 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)): no complete 24-hour total (1 hourly reading missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 10:08.
River level 1.65 m · Alert level · steady over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 1.4, minor flood 1.7, major flood 2.8 m)
And 1 more unnamed stream on our map
Where this road runs beside a river
- km 2–4 · beside the Kirindi Oya
- km 34–35 · beside the Kirindi Oya
- km 37–39 · beside the Kirindi Oya
Rivers and basins come from our own map of Sri Lanka’s river network. Flow direction, where shown, is worked out from the height of the land. This is orientation only, not a flood warning.
The area draining to a crossing is worked out from a terrain model (about 90 m cells) and is approximate. The rain over it is the satellite average for that same area, against its own record since 2000. Areas under about 150 km² are smaller than the satellite can see, so they show no rain.
River levels are the Irrigation Department’s own readings at its gauge, against its own thresholds. This is not a flood warning: flood warnings come from the Irrigation Department and DMC.
Landslide (NBRI)
×| Warned DS division | Level | From km |
|---|---|---|
| Ella | Watch | 0 |
| Wellawaya | Watch | 14 |
Rain on route
×Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Rain gauges near your route
123456789
0176 km
Key
DryLight rainModerate rainHeavy rainVery heavy rainNo rain report
- 4 Wellawaya, ≥ 8.5 mm, light rain or more (incomplete day)
- 7 Moraketiya, ≥ 12.1 mm, moderate rain or more (incomplete day)
7 gauges not reporting.
Gauge coverage: part of the route.
NBRI's warning stays in force after rain eases.
Satellite estimate
- Last 3 days: among the wettest 5% of 3-day periods since 2000 in Embilipitiya.
Rain outlook (computer model) · Next day: Chance of a rare wet day
- Next day: a chance of a wet day of the kind that comes about 1–2 days a month in Ella, Wellawaya, Thanamalvila, Sevanagala +1 (the wettest 5% of days there; several times the usual chance). (10 Nov, 05:30 to 11 Nov, 05:30)
- Next 3 days: a chance of a wet day of the kind that comes about 1–2 days a month in Ella, Wellawaya, Thanamalvila, Sevanagala +4 (the wettest 5% of days there; several times the usual chance). (10 Nov, 05:30 to 13 Nov, 05:30)
- "Not signalled" never means dry or safe. This is a computer model, not a warning, and it never changes NBRI's levels. Like the satellite, it reads hill-country rain low and can miss heavy local downpours.
- ECMWF ensemble forecast (open data, CC BY 4.0), run 9 Nov, 17:30, compared with each division's own satellite record.
Weather forecast (Met Dept)
×No advisory for this road
- No Department of Meteorology advisory is in force for Badulla, Moneragala, Ratnapura, Hambantota and Matara.
- Forecast issued 10 Nov, 05:30
- Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern province and in Trincomalee district.
- Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere in the island after 1.00 p.m.
- Covers Ratnapura, Badulla, Moneragala and Matara on this road: Heavy falls above 100mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
- Covers Hambantota and Matara on this road: Showers may occur in the coastal areas of the Southern Province during the morning.
- The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
- Covers Ratnapura, Badulla, Moneragala and Matara on this road: Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle, Matara and Kurunegala districts during the early hours of the morning.
- A forecast never lowers or replaces the NBRI landslide warning above.
- Forecast and advisories by the Department of Meteorology, Sri Lanka, as issued. LankaWatch is not an official service.
Rivers and catchments
×Crosses 13 named rivers · 9 basins · Walawe Ganga basin rain: Rare here (1–2 days a month) · rain upstream of Walawe Ganga: Rare here (1–2 days a month) · Alert level
Kirindi Oya · Malala Oya · Walawe Ganga …
ThalgahagodaAlert level · River level 1.65 mDepartment’s thresholds: Alert 1.4, minor flood 1.7, major flood 2.8 m
River basins along this road
- km 0–66 · Kirindi Oya basin
- km 66–78 · Malala Oya basin
- km 78–116 · Walawe Ganga basin
- km 116–125 · Kachigal Aru basin
- km 125–133 · Urubokka Ganga basin
- km 133–139 · Rekawa Oya basin
- km 139–147 · Kirama Oya basin
- km 147–152 · Seenimodara Oya basin
- km 152–176 · Nilwala Ganga basin
Satellite rain over these basins
- Walawe Ganga basin · Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
- Kachigal Aru basin · Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
- Urubokka Ganga basin · Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
- Nilwala Ganga basin · Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
A whole-basin satellite average against that basin’s own record since 2000, not the area upstream of any one point. Satellites under-read hill rain. Not a warning.
Where this road crosses a river or stream
- km 2–4 · Kirindi Oya · 4 crossings · flows east
18 km² drain to this point - km 20–25 · Kirindi Oya · 4 crossings · flows south-west
89 km² drain to this point
Wellawaya, an Irrigation Department gauge 15.6 km downstream (179 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)): at least 8.5 mm in the 24 hours to 10 Nov, 08:30 (1 hourly reading missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 11:02.
River level 1.63 m · Below Alert · steady over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 4.4, minor flood 5.4, major flood 5.9 m) - km 22 · Kunapad Ara (Kirindi Oya basin) · flows south
98 km² drain to this point - km 28 · Radapola Oya (Kirindi Oya basin) · flows east
16 km² drain to this point - km 30 · Galamola Ara (Kirindi Oya basin) · flows south-east
6.2 km² drain to this point - km 33–35 · Kirindi Oya · 3 crossings · flows south
0.1 km² drain to this point
Wellawaya, an Irrigation Department gauge 1.1 km upstream (179 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)): at least 8.5 mm in the 24 hours to 10 Nov, 08:30 (1 hourly reading missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 11:02.
River level 1.63 m · Below Alert · steady over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 4.4, minor flood 5.4, major flood 5.9 m) - km 37 · Dambakola Ara (Kirindi Oya basin) · flows south-east
3.1 km² drain to this point - km 38 · Kirindi Oya · flows south
233 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
Wellawaya, an Irrigation Department gauge 6.6 km upstream (179 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)): at least 8.5 mm in the 24 hours to 10 Nov, 08:30 (1 hourly reading missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 11:02.
River level 1.63 m · Below Alert · steady over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 4.4, minor flood 5.4, major flood 5.9 m) - km 53 · Kuda Oya (Kirindi Oya basin) · flows east
300 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
Kuda Oya, an Irrigation Department gauge 0.5 km upstream (299 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)): no complete 24-hour total (2 hourly readings missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 11:02.
River level 1.78 m · Below Alert · falling over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 6.9, minor flood 8.4, major flood 8.8 m) - km 73 · Katagal Ara (Malala Oya basin) · flows south
40 km² drain to this point - km 89 · Mau Ara (Walawe Ganga basin) · flows south-west
297 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 24 hours: Rare here (1–2 days a month) - km 94 · Walawe Ganga · flows south-east
1,542 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Moraketiya, an Irrigation Department gauge 0.1 km upstream (1,541 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)): at least 12.1 mm in the 24 hours to 10 Nov, 08:30 (2 hourly readings missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 11:02.
River level 2.95 m · Below Alert · falling over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 3, minor flood 5, major flood 7 m) - km 102 · Hulanda Oya (Walawe Ganga basin) · flows north-east
172 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month) - km 142 · Kirama Oya · flows east
115 km² drain to this point - km 148 · Sinimodara Oya · flows east
20 km² drain to this point - km 171–173 · Nilwala Ganga · 2 crossings · flows south-east
661 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
Thalgahagoda, an Irrigation Department gauge 4.9 km upstream (655 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)): no complete 24-hour total (1 hourly reading missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 10:08.
River level 1.65 m · Alert level · steady over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 1.4, minor flood 1.7, major flood 2.8 m)
And 6 more unnamed streams on our map
Where this road runs beside a river
- km 2–4 · beside the Kirindi Oya
- km 34–35 · beside the Kirindi Oya
- km 37–39 · beside the Kirindi Oya
Rivers and basins come from our own map of Sri Lanka’s river network. Flow direction, where shown, is worked out from the height of the land. This is orientation only, not a flood warning.
The area draining to a crossing is worked out from a terrain model (about 90 m cells) and is approximate. The rain over it is the satellite average for that same area, against its own record since 2000. Areas under about 150 km² are smaller than the satellite can see, so they show no rain.
River levels are the Irrigation Department’s own readings at its gauge, against its own thresholds. This is not a flood warning: flood warnings come from the Irrigation Department and DMC.