The Department of Irrigation and the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLDC) activated automated flood control gates and drainage pumping stations along the Nilwala Ganga flood protection scheme in Matara today, September 23, 2026.

With upstream monsoonal showers delivering over 85 mm of precipitation across Akuressa, Pitabeddara, and Kotapola, hydrometric stations at Urugamuwa and Thalgahagoda registered rising water discharge curves. Engineers confirmed that continuous pumping operations are safeguarding low-lying commercial sectors in Matara town and preventing flood backwaters from inundating agricultural paddy tracts in the lower catchment.