Rainfall to Ease Briefly Before Fresh Wet Spell Returns

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Department of Meteorology says rainfall activity across the island is expected to ease today and tomorrow following several days of intense showers that affected many parts of the country.

Director General of the Department of Meteorology, Ajith Wijemanne, said that while a slight reduction in rainfall is expected, intermittent showers and thundershowers will continue in several provinces.

He noted that heavy rains were experienced in the Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces over the past few days and that similar conditions, although less severe, may persist today.

"We expect a slight reduction in the rainfall experienced across the island during the past few days, both today and tomorrow. However, intermittent showers and thundershowers are expected in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Southern and North-Western Provinces. We expect fairly heavy rainfall of up to 75 millimetres in some areas of the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, as well as parts of the Sabaragamuwa Province. A few showers are also possible in the North Central Province," he said.

Wijemanne added that several spells of rain are expected in the Eastern Province, particularly in the Trincomalee District, during the afternoon and evening hours.

He further warned that fairly strong winds of between 40 and 50 kilometres per hour could occur at times in the North Central, Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces, as well as in the North-Western Province and the Galle and Matara districts.

"During the evening hours, rainfall is mainly expected in the Eastern Province and the Trincomalee District. Although rainfall conditions will ease somewhat today and tomorrow, we are currently observing a typhoon developing south of Japan in the Pacific Ocean. Its influence could have an impact on our weather conditions. Therefore, from August 6 onwards, particularly on August 6, 7, 8 and 9, we expect rainfall to increase again in the Central Province, including the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, the Sabaragamuwa Province, and the Galle and Matara districts. Rainfall is expected to decrease once again after August 9," he said.

The latest forecast indicates only temporary relief from the prevailing wet weather, with meteorologists warning the public to remain vigilant as another period of increased rainfall is expected later this week.