The heavy rain and winds are expected to continue over the south-western part of the island as the South-west monsoon has established itself over the country, the Department of Meteorology said, in the forecast for today (27).

Showers or thundershowers are expected to occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central, North-western. Eastern and Uva provinces.

Heavy rain fall of about 150 mm is to be expected at some places, the Met. Dept. added.

The Department also stated that fairly strong winds at times (up to 50-60kmph) could be expected over the island, and added that these winds may get stronger during showers.

The Department has also requested the public to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by lightning activity.

Showers or thundershowers are also said to occur in the sea area around the island at times.

The Department of Meteorology stated that very heavy showers were likely to be experienced in the deep and shallow sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanturai to Batticaloa via Trincomalee.

According to the forecast, winds will be south-westerly in direction and speed will be 40 kmph.

Due to an active cloudiness to the North-east of Sri Lanka in the Bay of Bengal, very strong winds (up to 80kmph) and very rough seas can be expected at times in the shallow and deep sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanturai to Batticaloa via Trincomalee, the Meteorological Department said.

The Department also stated that other sea areas also had the potential to become very rough at times, if the wind speed increases up to 60-70 kmph.

Naval and fishing communities are therefore advised to be vigilant.