Bad weather to continue for several days

Landslide alerts in Ratnapura and Kalutara

By Chaminda Silva

The Department of Disaster Management yesterday warned residents of Ratnapura and Kalutara districts to be on alert for landslides.It said that the current rainy weather will continue for a few more days.The Meteorological Department similarly warned of continuing inclement weather, due to the low-level atmospheric disturbance that still persists in the vicinity of the island, and showers, or thundershowers will occur, at times, in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-Western provinces.

“Heavy showers of about 100 milimetres can be expected at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts,” meteorologist Chathurika Premachandra said.

She said that showers, or thundershowers, will occur elsewhere during the afternoon, or night, as well. Fairly heavy showers above 75 milimetres can be expected at most places.

“We urge people to take adequate precautions to minimise damage caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms,” she said.Meanwhile, a 48-year-old man was killed when he was struck by lightning in Muttur. 11 cows too were killed in Omanthai, Vavuniya due to a lightning strike. However, most irrigation schemes have not received a lot of rain, the Irrigation Department said. Most tanks used for irrigation are at 35-40 percent capacity, Irrigation Director, D. Abeywardane said. He added that hydropower reservoirs too are only about 50 percent full, he said.