DMC issues severe weather warning

• Warns wind speed can increase up to 70-80kmph
• Landslide warnings issued for Nuwara Eliya District  

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) yesterday issued a severe weather warning, cautioning the public of an increase in wind speed and landslide warnings for several parts of the country. 

DMC spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said the windy and showery conditions in the south-western part of the island was expected to enhance to some extent on Tuesday and most of Wednesday.

“There is a possibility for the sudden increase of wind speed up to 70-80 kmph over the island, particularly in the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, North-Central, North-Western, Northern and Central Provinces and in the Trincomalee District,” Kodippili said. 

He noted showers or thundershowers would occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-Western provinces. Heavy rain falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Kalutara districts. According to Kodippilii, fairly heavy rain falls of about 75 mm are likely at some places in the North-Western Province and Colombo, Gampaha, Matara and Hambantota Districts and light showers may occur in Mannar and Anuradhapura Districts.

“There may be temporary localised strong winds during thundershowers. The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning.”

He urged residents of coastal areas to remain vigilant on the weather condition and requested the public to remain cautious of fallen trees and power lines, adding that he noted unattached metal roofing sheets in houses could be blown off due to the heavy winds, while thatched houses too could be vulnerable to damages.

A Level One landslide warning has been issued by the DMC, who has requested that the public be watchful in Ambagamuwa, Kotmale and Nuwara Eliya Divisional Secretariat Division and the surrounding areas.  Kodippili urged the public to pay attention to any cracks that appear on the ground or the deepening of cracks, slanting of trees, electrical posts, fences and telephone posts, cracks on walls and the sudden appearance of water springs.   

Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department said water levels in Kalu River from Rathnapura, Gin River from Thawalama and Kelani River from Kithulgala and Deraniyagala reached alert levels.