Met. Dept. warns of torrential rains, gusty winds & rough seas

The Department of Meteorology today (28) issued an advisory for heavy rains and gusty winds in some parts of the island.

The showery condition over the island, particularly in the south-western part is expected to enhance to some extent today (28) and tomorrow (29) due to a low level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka.

Heavy showers above 150 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

In the meantime, heavy rainfall about 100 mm is likely at some places in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and Trincomalee district.

Wind speed can increase up to (60-70) kmph at times in Southern province, Polonnaruwa, and Matale districts and along the western slopes of the central hills.

The Meteorology Department was warned that heavy rains may trigger landslides in hilly areas and water inundation in low lying areas.

Those who are living in hilly areas (particularly landslide-prone areas) have been requested to be vigilant in this regard.

The public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

Sea areas:

In the meantime, the Meteorology Department has issued a warning for sea areas to the North-east of the island and the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Chilaw Colombo Galle and Hambantota.

Due to the active cloudiness in the sea area to the north-east of Sri Lanka, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the deep and shallow sea areas extending from Trincomalee to Kankesanturai via Mullaitivu, the advisory has cautioned.

The possibility for heavy showers or thundershowers and sudden roughness, associated with sudden increase of wind speed (up to 70-80 kmph) in the above given deep sea areas is high.

There is a high possibility of increased wind speed up to 60-70 kmph in the sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Chilaw, Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.

The aforementioned sea areas can be very rough at times. Fishermen are advised not to venture in to the above sea areas during the period from 4.00 pm today (28) to 12 noon on Thursday (30).

Naval and fishing communities have been urged to be vigilant in this regard.