Adverse weather leaves a trail of destruction – 12 dead, 330,000 persons affected

The influence due to the deep depression over the South-West Bay of Bengal continued over Sri Lanka after a trail of destruction due to adverse weather conditions left  behind 12 dead, over 330,000 affected nearly 2,000 houses damaged.

The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to move slowly, north-northwestwards closer to the east coast of Sri Lanka and there is a possibility to intensify further, the Meteorology Department said in its latest update at 4.00 p.m. today.  

However the Department said it can be expected that the influence of the depression  on the island's weather will gradually reduce after tomorrow (29).

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern and North-central provinces and in Trincomalee district, the Department added.

Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Northern province.

Showers will also occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle district.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere of the island in the evening or night.

Strong winds of about 60 kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central, North-western, Central and Eastern provinces.

Director of the Disaster Management Centre Anoja Seneviratne said that so far 12 deaths caused due to adverse weather has been reported from various parts of the country. It includes four deaths reported in Karativu where a tractor carrying students toppled on Tuesday.

Six students, the driver and his assistant were reported missing initially. A search for the missing persons is underway.

Several thousands of acres of paddy lands have been destroyed in Ampara, Batticaloa, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts.