NBRO identifies landslide risks in 14 districts

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has identified the risk of landslides in 14 districts across Sri Lanka, with around 30 percent of the country's land area classified as landslide-prone, officials said.

- BY SAMANTHI WEERASEKERA

Senior Geologist Dr. Wasantha Senadeera said the high-risk areas cover approximately 20,000 square kilometres and are home to about 34 percent of the population.

Following heavy rainfall, linked to Cyclone Ditwah, the NBRO has received 2,710 requests to inspect locations vulnerable to landslides, of which 589 inspections have already been completed. Using satellite imagery from affected areas, officials have identified 1,241 locations where ground movement exceeded 10 metres. Of these, 919 locations showed no impact on houses, while 322 landslides were reported to have affected residential buildings.