Sri Lanka, Nov. 27 -- The Irrigation Department announced that a major flood situation has already developed in the low-lying areas of the Mahaweli River Basin and strongly advised people living in those areas to evacuate as early as possible.

Issuing a 'Red' major flood warning, it said that considering the heavy rainfall continuously received in the upper catchment areas of the Mahaweli River and the water level readings of the river gauges maintained by the Irrigation Department, a Major Flood Situation has already developed in the low-lying areas of the Mahaweli River Basin, and the water levels are expected to rise further.

Therefore, the public residing in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in these areas are kindly requested t...