Sri Lanka to Expect More Rainfall, Warns Met Department

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Department of Meteorology says that thundershowers may continue in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, and Northern provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts.

According to the MET department the low-pressure area located north of Sri Lanka is gradually weakening.

5,242 people belonging to 1,574 families have been affected due to the adverse weather conditions prevailing in the island. 

14 Districts have been affected so far. 

The Disaster Management Centre stated that 192 partial house damages have been reported.

A total of 162 people from 52 families are being sheltered at five safe locations.

Two deaths have been reported from the adverse weather situation. 

Meanwhile, the landslide early warnings issued to several Divisional Secretariat divisions in 13 districts have been extended.

Warnings have been issued for the districts of Badulla, Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, Matara, Monaragala, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura.

The National Building Research Organisation has advised residents in these areas to remain cautious for incidents such as earthslips, rockfalls, and ground subsidence.

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology says showers or thundershowers may occur after around 1:00 p.m. in the Uva and Eastern provinces, as well as in the Polonnaruwa district.

Wind speeds in the sea areas off the coast from Kankasanthurai to Puttalam, Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota via Pottuvil may increase up to 50–55 km/h.

The Department of Meteorology has advised the public to take precautions for possible hazards caused by lightning and thundershowers.