Heavy Rainfall of Up to 100mm Expected in Several Areas

Several parts of Sri Lanka could receive heavy rainfall of around 100mm as wet weather is expected to persist across the southwestern regions during the next 36 hours, according to the Department of Meteorology.

The department said a low-pressure area currently positioned over the Andaman Sea region of the Bay of Bengal, northeast of Sri Lanka, is expected to develop into a depression within the next 24 hours.

Although the weather system is not forecast to directly affect Sri Lanka, its influence on wind patterns is expected to maintain the prevailing rainy conditions in the southwestern parts of the country.

Showers or thundershowers are expected from time to time across the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Northwestern Provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts. Some areas could receive heavy rainfall of around 100mm.

Several spells of rain are also forecast for the North Central Province and Mannar District. Meanwhile, showers or thundershowers are likely at several locations in the Uva Province and in the Batticaloa and Ampara districts after 2.00 p.m.

The Meteorological Department has also warned of strong winds reaching around 40–50 kmph at times over the western slopes of the Central Hills, North Central and Northwestern Provinces, as well as in the Trincomalee, Hambantota and Matale districts.

The public has been urged to take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of damage from temporary localized strong winds and lightning that may occur during thundershowers.