News
No let up in downpours
Showers and thunderstorms could bring up to 100 millimetres of rain across Sri Lanka, the weather forecasters say.
Downpours are predicted in the North-western and South-western provinces due to an atmospheric disturbance.
Hambantota: A shop damaged by strong winds. Pic by Rahul Samantha
Showers are forecast in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces. Showers or thundershowers will occur in Uva, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts, the forecast on Saturday said.
Meteorologist, Shiromani Jayawardena, of the Department of Meteorology, said “showers could occur over most provinces of the country’’, with rainfall of 50mm-100 mm.
Meanwhile, south-westerly winds of 40 kilometres per hour on average can also be expected.
Senior scientist of the National Building Research Organisation Dr. Wasantha Senadeera said that the landslide danger has eased and the warning lifted.
Showers and thundershowers occurred in several parts of the island during the week, damaging homes and property. In some instances, winds blew away roofs.
M.A.N. Chandrasiri, the assistant director at the District Disaster Management Centre, said that 1,000 people from 233 families were badly affected due to heavy rains during the past week in Gampaha.
“We have been providing families with disaster relief funds to repair and rebuild their houses,” he said.
Daluwa, Puttalam: All that's left of a humble thatched house. Pic by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
As the water levels in the Attanagalu Oya and Diyella Oya, which joins the Attanagalu Oya, have increased and many surrounding areas were flooded. Attanagalu Oya flows into the Negombo Lagoon.
But in dried out areas, such as Diwulapitiya and Minuwangoda, the rain was welcome.
The Galle Divisional Secretariat Office said, 5,056 people were badly affected. Meanwhile, 61 houses were partially destroyed, while few other business premises suffered partial damage. Strong winds have wrecked several houses and business premises in the Hambantota area.
The assistant director of Hambantota Disaster Management Centre, Kuruwita Arachchi, said that 19 houses and 39 shops have been damaged.
Mullaitivu. Pic by Romesh Madushanka de Silva