Rainy weather to continue as landslide, strong wind warnings issued
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s Meteorological Department warned on Tuesday (22) that the country’s prevailing rainy and unsettled weather will persist over the coming days, with heavy rainfall, strong winds and thunderstorms forecast in several parts of the island.
The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) issued landslide warnings covering areas across 10 districts, while the Met Department forecast winds of up to 50–60 kmph in parts of the country and adjoining sea areas.
The Department said a low-pressure area over the northeastern Bay of Bengal was likely to intensify into a severe depression. While the system is not expected to make direct landfall in Sri Lanka, associated winds were likely to intensify rainfall over the island’s southwestern regions.
Showers or thundershowers are forecast at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North Western Provinces, as well as in Galle and Matara districts, with some areas expected to receive more than 100mm of rain. Intermittent showers are also forecast in the North Central Province and Mannar District, while showers or thundershowers are expected in Uva Province and the Batticaloa and Ampara districts after 2:00 p.m. Wednesday (23). Winds of 40–50 kmph are forecast at times over the western slopes of the Central Hills, the North Central and North Western provinces, and in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Matale districts. The public has been urged to take precautions against damage from strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms.
The NBRO’s landslide warnings cover areas in the Colombo district, Galle, Gampaha, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura and other affected districts. Red-level warnings, the highest alert level, have been issued for Pasbage Korale in Kandy District, and for Norwood, Upper Kotmale, Kotmale and Ambagamuwa in Nuwara Eliya District. Lower-level warnings apply to Padukka in Colombo district; Nagoda and Neluwa in Galle; Walallawita in Kalutara; Ganga Ihala Korale and Udapalatha in Kandy; Mawanella, Deraniyagala, Aranayake, Yatiyantota and Dehiowita in Kegalle; and Thalawakelle and Ratnapura. Residents in landslide-prone areas have been advised to remain vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities.
Strong winds of 50–60 kmph are forecast in sea areas from Trincomalee to Chilaw via Kankesanthurai and Mannar, and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota, with seas expected to be rough at times. Wave heights in sea areas from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Matara could reach 2.0–2.5 metres, the Department warned, advising fishermen and those engaged in maritime activities in the affected sea areas and the Bay of Bengal to exercise extreme caution and follow weather and maritime advisories.
-ENCL
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