Flood warnings issued

By Ifham Nizam

The Irrigation Department yesterday issued a minor flood warning, citing significant rainfall in the upstream areas of the Gin Ganga basin.Accordingly, minor flooding may be experienced in the low-lying areas belonging to the Divisional Secretariats of Welivitiya – Divithura, Baddegama, Kotopola, Hikkaduwa, Niagama, Neluwa, Thavalama, Akmeemana, Nagoda, Elpitiya, Bope Poddala and Galle Four Gravets Divisional Secretariat, within the next 24 hours till today.

The Irrigation Department also advised the residents and drivers of vehicles passing through those areas to pay close attention to the weather changes, and water levels.

The Meteorology Department has issued an Amber alert for heavy rains and strong winds, citing that showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces, and in the districks of Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara.Heavy showers, above 100 mm, may occur at some places in the Sabaragamuwa Province and in the districks of Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara as well, the Department said.

Meanwhile, the highest rainfall was recorded at 149mm for Kotapola area, followed by 127mm for Deniyaya and 118mm for Neluwa.The Department adds that strong winds, about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the western slopes of the Central hills, and the Western and Southern provinces due to the active south-west monsoon condition.Strong winds of about 50-60 kmph can be expected at times in the western slopes of the Central hills, and the Western and Southern provinces.

The public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.Strong winds are expected at times in the western and southern sea areas for the next few days due to the active Southwest Monsoon condition.Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast, extending from Puttalam to Hambantota, via Colombo and Galle.

Winds will be westerly to south-westerly and wind speed will be 30-40 kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 60-70 kmph in the sea areas off the coast, extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota.The wind speed can increase up to 50-60 kmph in the sea areas off the coast, extending from Puttalam to Colombo.

The sea areas off the coast, extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota, will be very rough. The sea areas off the coast, extending from Puttalam to Colombo, will be rough. The other sea areas around the island will be moderate.

Swell waves are expected to increase (about 2.5 – 3.5 m) in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. It is possible for nearshore sea areas off the coast, extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle, to experience surges due to swell waves.

The fishing and naval communities are advised not to venture out into the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Hambantota via Galle within the next 24 hours.