Danger warnings issued as heavy rains lash country

By Ifham Nizam

Heavy showers of about 100 mm may occur at some places in the Sabaragamuwa province and in the Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, says the Met Department.As for storms, the warning was at amber level, the Department said.Fairly heavy showers of about 75 mm can occur at some places in the Western province and in the Galle and Matara districts, too.Several spells of showers will occur in the Northern Province and in the Anuradhapura and Hambantota districts.The National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has issued landslide early warnings to six districts – Ratnapura, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Matara and Nuwara Eliya.Level 3 (Red) warning is issued to Kalawana, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura divisional secretariat divisions, in the Ratnapura District, for a period of 24 hours.Since the rainfall, within the past 24 hours, has exceeded 150 mm, people living in the aforementioned areas have been urged to evacuate to safe locations to avoid risk of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence, if the rainfall prevails.The prevailing showery conditions, over south-western part (Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts) of the island are expected to continue further, the Department of Meteorology says.

Strong winds 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over the western slope of the central hills, Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces and in the Hambantota District.The public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning, during thunderstorms.Wind speed can increase up to (65-70) kmph in the sea area extending from Kankesanturai to Pottuvil via Puttalam, Galle and Hambantota. There is also a possibility of swell waves (about 2.0 – 2.5 m) in these sea areas.

Accordingly, people are advised not to go fishing or take part in naval activities in these sea areas within the next 24 hours.Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle. Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places in the other sea areas around the island during the evening or night.