The Meteorological Department announced that showers or thundershowers were to be expected in the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces today (07).

The Department stated that the prevailing showery condition in the island, particularly in the South-western region would likely continue.

Heavy falls (100-150 mm) are to be expected at some places, particularly in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, and in Galle and Matara districts, the Met. Department added.

The forecast further said that showers or thundershowers may occur elsewhere particularly after 2.00 pm. Heavy falls (about 100 mm) are to be expected at some places, particularly in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts.

The Department also issued a warning to the general public to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity, and added that there may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.

Issuing a forecast on the marine weather, the Meteorological Department stated that due to the active cloudiness in the Southwestern and the Eastern sea areas, very heavy showers/thundershowers, temporally strong gusty winds with speeds up to 70-80 kmph and very rough seas could be expected in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Galle and the sea areas off the coast extending from Pothuvil to Trincomalee via Batticaloa.

Winds will reportedly be South-westerly in direction and their speed will be 30-40 kmph.

The sea area off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota can be rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 60 kmph, the Department added.

They also warned that the sea area had the potential to get very rough during thundershowers.