Sri Lanka, Dec. 18 -- The Irrigation Department has issued a flood warning valid for the next 48 hours for several low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River Basin due to rainfall received since last night (17) in certain catchment areas.

Accordingly, residents of low-lying areas in Kinniya, Muttur, Kantale, Seruvila, Welikanda, Lankapura, Thamankaduwa, and Dimbulagala Divisional Secretariat (DS) Divisions have been warned of possible flooding.

Furthermore, there is a risk of inundation of the Batticaloa Polonnaruwa Road (Gallella area), the access road to Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara, and the surrounding areas of the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara, the department said.

Therefore, devotees travelling to the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara are...