News
Now, northeast monsoon set to bring more rain
View(s):
Flooded out in Kaduwela
By Jayanie Madawala
After a few days of sunshine, be ready for more rain, says the Meteorological Department, announcing the onset of the northeast monsoon.
The department said scattered showers could occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Central Provinces and the Galle and Matara districts. Showers or thundershowers could also occur at a few places in the Northern, Eastern, Northcentral, and Uva Provinces after 2 p.m. In the coming days, the northeast monsoon would intensify and bring heavy rain to the Northern, Central, Western, Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces.
The department warned the people to take adequate precautions to minimise damage caused by strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms.
Meanwhile, at least seven people died and about 7,700 people were affected due to the extreme weather during the tail-end of the southwest monsoon from the beginning of this month, Disaster Management Center Assistant Director Pradeep Kodippili said.
He said that although red alerts were issued, about 500 houses were damaged due to floods, landslides, and gusty winds in the central, western and southern regions of Sri Lanka.
The National Building Research Organisation said the extreme weather this month caused more than one hundred landslides in several districts. Of them, 80 were reported from the Kegalle district, followed by eight from the Kalutara district, two from the Galle district, and one each from the Ratnapura and Colombo District.
Irrigation Department Hydrology Director S.P.C. Sugeeshwara said the northeast monsoon would be a boon for agricultural activities for the Maha season.
At present, the water level in all reservoirs coming under the Mahaweli Development Authority is close to 70 percent following heavy rains received this month.
Eng. Sugeeshwara said farmers should begin the ground preparation at the earliest possible.
Two waterfalls in the hill country
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!