More bad weather in the offing

By Nadia Fazlulhaq

Heavy showers, thunderstorms and landslides are expected in the following weeks with the active inter-monsoon period taking place around the island. National Building Research Organization (NBRO) head R.M.S. Bandara said it was difficult to predict the inter-monsoon rains but warned people living in hilly areas and bordering river banks are at risk.

“If heavy rains of more than 100 mm take place within 24 hours there is definitely a risk of landslides and erosions,” he said. According to Mr. Bandara, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kandy, Matale, Matara, Galle, Kalutara and Hambantota districts are prone to disasters if heavy rain continues.

The Disaster Management Centre said that up to now only a few instances have been reported where roads have gone under water. Met Department duty meteorologist said although evening showers are significant during the inter-monsoon season, this time it may cause morning showers also as the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is over Sri Lanka.

“Due to this it is difficult to predict specific times and locations of rainfall but we believe that the inter-monsoon rains will cease by the end of November,” he said.