The low-level atmospheric disturbance near Sri Lanka has developed into a low-pressure area, and rainfall is expected to increase over the island on Thursday, the Department of Meteorology said.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern, North Western and Southern provinces and in the Anuradhapura district, with cloudy skies over those areas. Elsewhere, showers or thundershowers are expected after 1.00 p.m. Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North Western provinces.
The department asked the public to take adequate precautions against damage from temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers. It said gusts of 60 to 70 kmph and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Winds over the sea areas will blow from the west to south-west at 25 to 35 kmph, rising to 40 to 50 kmph at times off the coast from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, Matara and Hambantota. Those waters may be fairly rough at times, while other sea areas around the island will be slight. The department asked naval and fishing communities to follow its later forecasts on the system.
Rain has already affected water levels and transport. The Director of Irrigation (Water Management) said two spill gates of the Deduru Oya Reservoir were opened by two feet each on Wednesday, releasing water into the Deduru Oya at 4,200 cubic feet per second. Residents living along the river downstream of the reservoir were urged to stay vigilant and monitor water levels.
On the railway, a landslide at Kadigamuwa Railway Station on Wednesday afternoon disrupted services beyond Rambukkana. Railway authorities said trains that left Colombo Fort at 3.35 p.m. for Gampola and Peradeniya were restricted to Rambukkana. Services have been disrupted by continuing landslides in the prevailing adverse weather.
Background
The Department of Meteorology issues the island’s weather forecasts and warnings. October and November fall in the second inter-monsoon period, which usually brings thundery afternoon showers to many parts of Sri Lanka, and low-pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal region can add to rainfall.
Spill gates on a reservoir are opened to release water when the storage nears its safe limit, so that levels are controlled. Irrigation officials normally issue advisories to residents along the downstream river when this happens.
Kadigamuwa is on the main railway line towards the hill country, beyond Rambukkana, a route that passes through steep terrain where landslides have disrupted services in wet weather before.
What it means
People in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North Western provinces should expect heavy rain at places, and those living near the Deduru Oya downstream of the reservoir have been asked to watch river levels. Anyone planning to travel by train towards Gampola or Peradeniya should check with railway authorities, as services beyond Rambukkana have been affected.
Fishing crews and others working at sea off the south-western and southern coasts have been asked to follow the Department of Meteorology’s latest forecasts, because winds and seas may be rough at times. Sri Lankans abroad with relatives in the affected areas can follow the department’s updates for further warnings.
