Intense rain spells expected for next three days

The Meteorological Department warns intense spells of rain will continue till October 25.

Most parts of the country are likely to experience above average rainfall.
 
The Department warned that if heavy rain continues in this manner  flooding of low lying land and roads could be expected.

The Duty Meteorologist said Sri Lanka is receiving persistent rainfall due to a low pressure area formed over the North Andaman area and adjoining South Andaman seas as well as the South east Bay of Bengal. 

The rainfall continues to North and westwards and gradually forming as a depression and subsequently to a cyclonic condition. 

Accordingly heavy rains exceeding 100 mm could be expected in the Northern Part of the country Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-Western provinces.

He said thunderstorms could be expected in the Western, Southern, North-Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, and Eastern provinces.

Accordingly the fishermen are advised to not venture on seas until Monday (24).

Some areas might receive above 100mm rainfall. Maximum rainfall was reported as 138.5mm in Tampana, Kurunegala district .

The water levels of almost every reservoir in the country had reached or either reaching its spill levels .

Castlereagh 75% and Maussakele 56.5 %  Kotmale 48 % , Upper Kotmale, 76.3% and  Kukule 43 %. 

Ceylon Electricity board has said eighty percent of their total capacity was filled following heavy rainfall.

Urged the people living in low lying areas in the above mentioned reservoir to  exercise caution when accessing the river.

The heavy rain lashed many parts of the country affecting normal lives. 4929 people belonging to 1297 families faced hardships due to the heavy rains experienced over the week. 

However Five persons, and  another two persons injured in separate incidents of wall collapse;and drowning.

Senior Scientist at the National Building Research Organization Wasantha Senadeera says landslide red warnings issued to several districts were removed  while Level 1 warnings issued to Kalutara, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura remain in effect.

Several incidents were reported as rain related incidents. Earth embarked on to a house in Kudagama Hatton. 

According to officials, two persons were swept away by the water while bathing and one person was subsequently rescued by the residents of the Gatambe area.

Three more incidents of death by drowning were also reported from Southern Province.  (By Jayanie Madawala)