Meteorology Department Issues island-wide alert for thundershowers and strong winds

The Meteorological Department has urged the public especially those in the naval and fishing communities to remain vigilant due to strong gusty winds and rough seas.

Since last night, strong winds and thundershowers have been experienced in most parts of Sri Lanka.

The Department specifically noted that showers or thundershowers will occur in several sea areas off the coast, extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.

Accordingly, the winds in the sea areas around the island will be south-westerly. Wind speeds are expected to be between 40–50 kmph, increasing up to 60–70 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankesanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar, and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

In other sea areas around the island, wind speeds will range from 30–40 kmph, increasing up to 50–60 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Galle via Colombo and from Kankesanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu.

The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankesanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar, and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota, will be very rough at times. The Meteorological Department advises naval and fishing communities not to venture into these sea areas until further notice.

Sea areas off the coast from Chilaw to Galle via Colombo and from Kankesanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu will be rough at times.

Wave heights of around 3.0 meters may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Hambantota via Puttalam, Colombo, and Galle. The Department has also warned of possible coastal surges due to swell waves in these areas.

Apart from the sea areas, thundershowers and strong winds can be expected in most parts of the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and North-Western provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts.

Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm is likely in some areas of the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Nuwara Eliya, Kandy, Galle, and Matara districts.

Several spells of showers may also occur in the North-Central Province and in the Mannar and Hambantota districts.

Strong winds of about 50–60 kmph are expected at times over the western slopes of the central hills, and in the Northern, North-Central, and North-Western provinces, as well as in the Hambantota and Trincomalee districts. Fairly strong winds (30–40 kmph) can be expected at times elsewhere across the island.