Alert on 36 km between Watawala and Puwakpitiya
Around Watawala and Ginigathhena, km 12–35, km 59–74.
Also: Watch on 58 km between Hatton and Hanwella
You reach it about Tue 15:30, 30 min after leaving, and are through it by Tue 17:20.
NBRI’s bulletin is valid until Tue 20:00, so it covers that time.
Since the rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 100 mm, if the rains continue, be on alert on the possibility of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cut failures and ground subsidence, being ready to evacuate to a safe location if the need arises.
- Hatton
Watchkm 0–12 - Watawala to Ginigathhena
Alertkm 12–35 - Kithulgala to Yatiyantota
Watchkm 35–60 - Dehiowita
Alertkm 60–73 - Puwakpitiya to Hanwella
Watchkm 73–94 - Kaduwela to Colombo
Not listedkm 94–122
Alert on 31 km near Kithulgala
km 14–46.
Also: Watch on 64 km between Hatton and Ruwanwella
You reach it about Tue 15:30, 30 min after leaving, and are through it by Tue 16:35.
NBRI’s bulletin is valid until Tue 20:00, so it covers that time.
Since the rainfall within the past 24 hours has exceeded 100 mm, if the rains continue, be on alert on the possibility of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cut failures and ground subsidence, being ready to evacuate to a safe location if the need arises.
- Hatton to Dickoya
Watchkm 0–15 - near Kithulgala
Alertkm 15–46 - Kithulgala to Ruwanwella
Watchkm 46–95 - Yakkala to Colombo
Not listedkm 95–146
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 Hatton–Colombo road
The fastest road we know from Hatton to Colombo is 122 km, about 3 h 30 min, via Dehiowita, Kaduwela.
Main roads on it: Gingathena Road (33 km), Avissawella Road (25 km), Hatton Road (17 km).
We show 2 roads between them, fastest first.
DS divisions on this road
It passes through 10 DS divisions in 3 districts, in travel order:
Past NBRI bulletins
Most often listed on this road, in the 41 NBRI bulletins we have passed on since Sun 20 Sept: Yatiyanthota (36), Dehiovita (30), Ambagamuwa (23).
A record of past bulletins, not a forecast. Not being listed doesn’t mean safe.
Steep terrain
About 7 km of it runs through steep terrain (slopes over 30° beside the road). The longest stretch is between Watawala and Ginigathhena.
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, 02:30. Checked Tue 10 Nov, 08:40.
Landslide (NBRI)
×| Warned DS division | Level | From km |
|---|---|---|
| Ambagamuwa | Alert | 12 |
| Dehiovita | Alert | 60 |
| Norwood | Watch | 0 |
| Yatiyanthota | Watch | 35 |
| Seethawaka | Watch | 73 |
Rain on route
×Heavy rain, up to 126.5 mm in 24 h
Rain gauges near your route
Key
- 3 Norton, 14.2 mm, moderate rain
- 7 Kithulgala, 35.9 mm, moderate rain
- 16 Penrith Estate, 126.5 mm, heavy rain
- 19 Hanwella, 28.6 mm, moderate rain
- 20 Nagalagam Street, 0 mm, dry
- 21 Colombo, 8.6 mm, light rain
15 gauges not reporting.
Gauge coverage: most of the route.
NBRI's warning stays in force after rain eases.
Satellite estimate
- Last 3 days: among the wettest 1% of 3-day periods since 2000 in Dehiovita.
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 Norwood, Ambagamuwa, Yatiyanthota (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 Norwood, Ambagamuwa (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 Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle and Colombo.
- 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 Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Colombo 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.
- 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 Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Colombo 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.
- Forecast for the main cities, Tuesday, 10 November 2026 (issued 9 Nov, 16:00)
- Colombo: Showers or thundershowers after 1.00p.m. Max 31°C, min 24°C.
- 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 11 named rivers · 2 basins · Kelani Ganga basin rain: Rare here (1–2 days a month) · rain upstream of Kelani Ganga: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Mahaweli Ganga · Kelani Ganga
River basins along this road
- km 0–23 · Mahaweli Ganga basin
- km 24–122 · Kelani Ganga basin
Satellite rain over these basins
- Kelani Ganga basin · Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
- Mahaweli 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 6 · Mahaweli Ganga · 2 crossings · flows north-west
11 km² drain to this point - km 11–23 · Mahaweli Ganga · 11 crossings · flows north-west
25 km² drain to this point - km 35 · Kelani Ganga · flows west
418 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Kithulgala, an Irrigation Department gauge 2 km downstream (425 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)): 35.9 mm in the 24 hours to 9 Nov, 08:30 (Moderate); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 08:06.
River level 2.24 m · Below Alert · rising over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 3, minor flood 4, major flood 6 m) - km 38 · Girankitte Oya (Kelani Ganga basin) · flows south-west
470 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month) - km 41 · Bibili Oya (Kelani Ganga basin) · flows south
488 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month) - km 47 · Kelani Ganga · flows west
506 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Kithulgala, an Irrigation Department gauge 8.9 km upstream (425 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)): 35.9 mm in the 24 hours to 9 Nov, 08:30 (Moderate); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 08:06.
River level 2.24 m · Below Alert · rising over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 3, minor flood 4, major flood 6 m) - km 52 · Ekki Oya (Kelani Ganga basin) · flows west
537 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month) - km 54–57 · Kelani Ganga · 2 crossings · flows south-west
542 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Kithulgala, an Irrigation Department gauge 14.7 km upstream (425 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)): 35.9 mm in the 24 hours to 9 Nov, 08:30 (Moderate); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 08:06.
River level 2.24 m · Below Alert · rising over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 3, minor flood 4, major flood 6 m) - km 54 · Madelle Oya (Kelani Ganga basin) · flows north
542 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month) - km 62 · Godellakumbura Ela (Kelani Ganga basin) · flows west
17 km² drain to this point - km 73 · Gatahatta oya (Kelani Ganga basin) · flows north
51 km² drain to this point - km 95 · Puswell Oya (Kelani Ganga basin)
1,937 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month) - km 96–99 · Kelani Ganga · 3 crossings · flows west
1,937 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Hanwella, an Irrigation Department gauge 3.9 km upstream (1,820 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)): 28.6 mm in the 24 hours to 9 Nov, 08:30 (Moderate); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 08:03.
River level 6.17 m · Below Alert · falling over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 6.5, minor flood 7.5, major flood 9.5 m) - km 104–105 · Maha Ela (Kelani Ganga basin) · 2 crossings
24 km² drain to this point - km 105 · Kelani Ganga · flows south-west
2,060 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Hanwella, an Irrigation Department gauge 15 km upstream (1,820 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)): 28.6 mm in the 24 hours to 9 Nov, 08:30 (Moderate); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 08:03.
River level 6.17 m · Below Alert · falling over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 6.5, minor flood 7.5, major flood 9.5 m) - km 115–117 · Heea Ela (Kelani Ganga basin) · 2 crossings
1.3 km² drain to this point - km 121 · Heea Ela (Kelani Ganga basin)
1.6 km² drain to this point
And 3 more unnamed streams on our map
Where this road runs beside a river
- km 5–6 · beside the Mahaweli Ganga
- km 14–15 · beside the Mahaweli Ganga
- km 18–20 · beside the Mahaweli Ganga
- km 21–23 · beside the Mahaweli Ganga
- km 98–99 · beside the Kelani Ganga
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ambagamuwa | Alert | 15 |
| Norwood | Watch | 0 |
| Yatiyanthota | Watch | 46 |
| Bulathkohupitiya | Watch | 69 |
| Ruwanwella | Watch | 76 |
Rain on route
×Fairly heavy rain, up to 76 mm in 24 h
Rain gauges near your route
Key
- 2 Castlereigh, 6 mm, light rain
- 4 Norton, 14.2 mm, moderate rain
- 6 Laxapana, 12.4 mm, moderate rain
- 9 Kithulgala, 35.9 mm, moderate rain
- 17 Glencourse, 76 mm, fairly heavy rain
- 20 Dunamale, 34.1 mm, moderate rain
- 21 Nagalagam Street, 0 mm, dry
- 22 Colombo, 8.6 mm, light rain
14 gauges not reporting.
Gauge coverage: most 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 Norwood, Ambagamuwa, Yatiyanthota, Bulathkohupitiya +1.
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 Norwood, Ambagamuwa, Yatiyanthota, Bulathkohupitiya (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 Norwood, Ambagamuwa, Bulathkohupitiya, Ruwanwella +1 (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 Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Gampaha and Colombo.
- 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 Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo and Gampaha 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.
- 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 Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo and Gampaha 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.
- Forecast for the main cities, Tuesday, 10 November 2026 (issued 9 Nov, 16:00)
- Colombo: Showers or thundershowers after 1.00p.m. Max 31°C, min 24°C.
- 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 11 named rivers · 3 basins · Kelani Ganga basin rain: Rare here (1–2 days a month) · rain upstream of Kelani Ganga: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Mahaweli Ganga · Kelani Ganga · Attanagala Oya
River basins along this road
- km 0–2 · Mahaweli Ganga basin
- km 2–88 · Kelani Ganga basin
- km 89–104 · Attanagala Oya basin
- km 104–106 · Kelani Ganga basin
- km 106–124 · Attanagala Oya basin
- km 124–146 · Kelani Ganga basin
Satellite rain over these basins
- Kelani Ganga basin · Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
- Mahaweli Ganga basin · Last 3 days: Unusual here (3 days a month)
- Attanagala Oya 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 11–17 · Kehelgama Ganga (Kelani Ganga basin) · 7 crossings · flows north-west
148 km² drain to this point - km 46 · Kelani Ganga · flows west
418 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Kithulgala, an Irrigation Department gauge 2 km downstream (425 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)): 35.9 mm in the 24 hours to 9 Nov, 08:30 (Moderate); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 08:06.
River level 2.24 m · Below Alert · rising over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 3, minor flood 4, major flood 6 m) - km 49 · Girankitte Oya (Kelani Ganga basin) · flows south-west
470 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month) - km 51 · Bibili Oya (Kelani Ganga basin) · flows south
488 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month) - km 58 · Kelani Ganga · flows west
506 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Kithulgala, an Irrigation Department gauge 8.9 km upstream (425 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)): 35.9 mm in the 24 hours to 9 Nov, 08:30 (Moderate); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 08:06.
River level 2.24 m · Below Alert · rising over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 3, minor flood 4, major flood 6 m) - km 63 · Ekki Oya (Kelani Ganga basin) · flows west
537 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month) - km 67 · We Oya (Kelani Ganga basin) · flows south-west
73 km² drain to this point - km 72–77 · Ritigaha Oya (Kelani Ganga basin) · 7 crossings · flows south
82 km² drain to this point - km 81 · Gurugoda Oya (Kelani Ganga basin) · flows south
1,032 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Holombuwa, an Irrigation Department gauge 18.3 km upstream (154 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)): at least 72 mm in the 24 hours to 9 Nov, 08:30 (1 hourly reading missing); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 08:04.
River level 1.28 m · Below Alert · falling over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 3, minor flood 4, major flood 6 m) - km 82 · Kelani Ganga · flows south-west
1,040 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Glencourse, an Irrigation Department gauge 10.4 km downstream (1,531 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)): 76 mm in the 24 hours to 9 Nov, 08:30 (Fairly heavy); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 08:10.
River level 13.56 m · Below Alert · falling over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 15, minor flood 15.5, major flood 19 m) - km 93 · Indurana Ela (Attanagala Oya basin) · flows north-west
9.2 km² drain to this point - km 93–94 · Woharaka Oya (Attanagala Oya basin) · 2 crossings · flows north-east
9.2 km² drain to this point - km 119–121 · Uruwal Oya (Attanagala Oya basin) · 2 crossings · flows west
42 km² drain to this point - km 140 · Kelani Ganga · flows west
2,256 km² drain to this point · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)
Nagalagam Street, an Irrigation Department gauge 0.6 km downstream (2,256 km² upstream · rain over that area, Last 3 days: Rare here (1–2 days a month)): 0 mm in the 24 hours to 9 Nov, 08:30 (Dry); 0 mm in the 3 hours to 10 Nov, 08:01.
River level 2.7 ft · Below Alert · falling over about 3 hours (Department’s thresholds: Alert 4, minor flood 5, major flood 7 ft)
And 2 more unnamed streams on our map
Where this road runs beside a river
- km 11–13 · beside the Kehelgama Ganga
- km 13–14 · beside the Kehelgama Ganga
- km 72–74 · beside the Ritigaha Oya
- km 75–76 · beside the Ritigaha 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.
NBRI’s advice, as issued
×Watch · NBRI adviceSince 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, 20:00