The Meteorology Department yesterday (20) warned of heavy rain, strong winds, rough seas and landslides today (21) in several parts of the country due to low level atmospheric conditions prevailing in the vicinity of Sri Lanka. According to the warning issued for the land area, “due to the low level atmospheric disturbances in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the prevailing showery condition in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Uva Provinces is expected to continue during the next 24 hours. Very heavy rainfalls above 150 mm are likely at some places. Fairly Strong winds (40-50kmph) gusting up to (70-80) Kmph can be expected during showers/thundershowers.”Meanwhile on marine weather, the Meteorology Department issued an advisory for heavy showers, strong winds and rough seas in the deep and shallow sea areas to the South of the island.
The Department requested the Naval and fishing communities to be vigilant in this regard in the above sea areas. Met. Department sources said “due to the heavy overcast conditions in the sea area to the south of Sri Lanka, showers or thunderstorms will occur at times in the above sea areas. The possibility for heavy showers/thunderstorms and sudden roughness, associated with a sudden increase of wind speed (up to 70-80 Kmph) in the above given deep sea areas is high. The sea area extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle can be rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to (50-60) Kmph.”
The National Building Research Organization issued Level 1 and Level 2 landslide warnings valid until today (21) morning to several areas located in Colombo, Kalutara, Kegalle, Ratnapura and Galle districts.
Accordingly, Level 2 landslide warnings have been issued to the Seethawaka Divisional Secretariat Division in the Colombo district, Bulathsinhala, Walallawita and Palindanuwara Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Kalutara District, Dehiowita Divisional Secretariat Division in the Kegalle District and Kuruwita and Eheliyagoda Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Ratnapura District.
The Department noted that the public in the above mentioned areas should be vigilant as rainfall in these areas over the past 24 hours had exceeded 75 mm. Therefore, people should be vigilant on the possibility of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence and be ready to evacuate the areas if necessary.
A Level 1 landslide warning was issued for the Elpitiya, Nagoda and Niyagama Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Galle district. Meanwhile, Badulla District Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Centre also warned motorists to be vigilant about the weather conditions in the Badulla district and use alternative roads as much as possible.
The Kirulapone Baseline Road along with the High Level Road was also inundated due to yesterday’s downpour.
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