Provincial Education Directors have been empowered to make decisions on whether schools should be conducted tomorrow (21) in districts affected by adverse weather conditions, according to the Ministry of Education.

The decision has been taken amid heavy rainfall reported across several parts of the country, particularly in the Central and Sabaragamuwa regions, where a number of areas have recorded heavy showers over the past 24 hours.

The Ministry's decision gives Provincial Education Directors the authority to assess local weather and ground conditions and determine whether schools in affected districts can safely operate tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Nawalapitiya in the Kandy District recorded 210 mm of rainfall, the highest rainfall total reported during the 24-hour period ending at 6.00 p.m. today, according to the Disaster Management Centre. Other areas in the central highlands, including Hunugal Oya, Watawala, Norton and Ginigathhena, have also received significant rainfall.

The Department of Meteorology forecasts further showers or thundershowers in several parts of the country. Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm is possible at some locations in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces, and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts.

Authorities have also warned of fairly strong winds and lightning during thundershowers and have urged the public to take appropriate precautions.