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Rains to continue; rivers swell amid flood and landslide warnings
View(s):By Jayanie Madawala
Heavy rains have been lashing several districts for the past few days, with more than 2,000 people being affected by floods and landslides.
Heavy rains accompanied by winds would prevail over most parts of the island today and tomorrow due to a low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the Meteorological Department said in a statement.
Showers would occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western and the Northern Provinces and in the Anuradhapura, Galle and Matara districts, the department said. Fairly heavy showers of above 75 mm may occur at some places in these regions.
Showers will also occur at several places in the Uva and Eastern Provinces during the evening or night.
Meteorology Department Director Athula Karunanayake said heavy rains were expected today but by Tuesday or Wednesday, the rainfall might decrease.
“We are also experiencing the South West Monsoon. Therefore, the rains are largely in the southwest parts of the country, while dry weather prevails in Northern areas,” the director said.
He said the country would experience a transitional monsoon phase from November to December. During this period, the weather would be good in the morning but frequent thunderstorms would occur in the evenings.
The maximum rainfall of 57 mm was recorded at Upcot in the Nuwara Eliya district on August 31. The Meteorological Department data showed that this had been the third highest rainfall for August. More rains are expected this month as the southwest monsoon remains active.
Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department said the water level of Kuda Ganga, a tributary of the Kalu River, had risen to the level of a major flood situation in the Millakanda area.
National Building Research Organisation Senior Scientist Wasantha Senadeera said that due to the prevailing inclement weather, the Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle, Kegalle, Colombo, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya districts have been placed on alert for landslides until further notice.
The water levels of several rivers, including the Kalu, Gin and Nilwala, Aththanagalla rivers, are also increasing.
While most of the districts are experiencing heavy to moderate rainfall due to apparent southward relative motion, the Sun will be directly overhead in Kalpitiya, Dunu Kotagama (Anuradhapura District), Uttimaduwa, Nikawewa (Polonnaruwa District), Vellai and Verugal (Trincomalee District).
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