Heavy rainfall expected in four provinces

The Meteorology Department today warned of heavy rainfall of 100mm in at least four provinces and three districts, as it requested the public to take necessary precautions to protect against lightning.

Showers or thundershowers will occur in several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Western, Southern, Uva and North Central provinces, as well as the Mannar and Vavuniya districts after 2 p.m.

Fairly heavy rainfall of about 100 mm is likely in some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North Western provinces, and the Anuradhapura, Galle and Matara districts.

The general public has therefore been requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damage caused by lightning activity and localised strong winds during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected in some places in the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces in the morning. In addition, showers or thundershowers will occur in the sea area off the coast extending from Mannar to Batticaloa via Puttalam, Colombo, Galle, Hambantota and Pottuvil. Heavy showers can be expected in some places in these sea areas.

Winds will be southerly to south-westerly in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed will be 20-30 kmph. The department also warned that wind speeds may increase up to 40 kmph in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Kankesanturai.

The sea area around the island may be slight to moderately rough. Temporary strong gusty winds (up to 70-80 kmph) and rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.