Convergence zone causing winds

Thundershowers could develop anywhere in the country but that rain was mostly confined to the Western parts of the country during the day but could spread towards other regions towards evening

The Meteorology Department said yesterday Sri Lanka was experiencing heavy winds because of an inter-tropical convergence zone that had settled right over the country and that strong winds were also due to prevailing thunderstorms.

The inter-tropical convergence zone is the meeting of winds from the Southern and Northern hemisphere which resulted in heavy storms. A Met Department of

ficial said there would be heavy winds towards the South-west with wind speeds of 10 to 30 kmph which could increase up to about 40 to 50 kmph in the Western, Southwestern and Southeastern sea areas. The coastal areas in the West, South-west and the South-east are also expected to be fairly rough.

Director Lalith Chandrapala said thundershowers could develop anywhere but that rain was mostly confined to the Western parts of the country during the day but could spread towards other regions towards evening.

He said there could be a possibility of strong winds due to the thundershowers which would last for about five to 10 minutes.

The Met department also advised the people to take precautions to minimise the damages caused by lightning.

Many parts of the country had received a considerable amount of rain yesterday with Yatiyantota receiving the highest rainfall of 76.8mm; Ratnapura received a rainfall of 71.4 mm, Pottuvil 13mm, 24.6mm from Mahaelupulama and Galle a rainfall of 33,3mm.