News
Weather relief in north and east but storm brewing over Andaman Sea
Wet and stormy weather conditions are likely to ease in the next few days in the North, North Central and Eastern provinces, the Meteorological Department said.
Thabbowa reservoir. Pic by Jayarathna Wickramarachchi
The low pressure front off the southwest coast has moved away from the island but evening thundershowers will persist in the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Western provinces, including the Galle and Matara districts.
In a special advisory issued on Friday, naval and fishing communities were warned to be vigilant of yet another low pressure front over the Andaman Sea. This could develop into a cyclonic storm. Wind speeds of 30-40kmph over these sea areas could increase to 50kmph.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that as of 7pm on Friday, the bad weather had caused three deaths, the total destruction if six houses and damage to 100 others, and caused hardship for almost 8000 families. Several people had been injured by falling trees and earthslips.
The spill gates of several reservoirs have been open since Wednesday, the department’s Deputy Director, Pradeep Kodippili, said naming the Parakrama Samudraya, Rajanganaya, Deduru Oya, Udawalawe and Victoria dams. The spill gates of the Tabbowa, Rantambe, Mahakanadarawa and Nachchaduwa tanks have also been opened.
Residents living downstream of these areas have been warned to be vigilant of rising water levels.
Landslide warnings in the Nuwara Eliya, Matale and Kandy districts are still effective, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) said.
Residents of the Hanguranketha and Walapane divisional secretariats in Nuwara Eliya have been warned to be watchful of landslides as have residents of Ukuwela in Matale, and Bulathsinhala, Mathugama, Ingirirya and Agalawatta in the Kandy area.
Galle. Pic by Sirangika Lokukarawita
Chilaw. Pic by Augustin Fernando
Aluthgama. Pic by Sarath Siriwardana
Aarachchikattuwa. Pic by Hiran Priyankara
Hambantota. Pic by Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi