Warning of perils of rough weather, 700 badly affected

Heavy rainfall and lightning have been forecast for the next few days in the country.

A low-pressure system across the Bay of Bengal and nearby areas, will result in adverse weather, Athula Karunanayake, the Director General of the Department of Meteorology said.

Winds of up to 75 kilometres can be expected in the western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-Central, North-western and Southern provinces.

Rainfall could exceed 100mm in Sabaragamuwa and Western provinces and it could be 150mm at some places in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western and Eastern Provinces

Coastal fishermen have been warned to stay home.

He advised people to be aware of falling rocks and cut slope failures.

The National Building Research Organization said the landslide risk is greater in Galle, Ratnapura, Kalutara, Kegalle, and Kandy districts, and has issued warnings for several Divisional Secretariat Divisions.

Senior scientist, Wasantha Senadheera, said the NBRO has considered rainfall over the past two days and the forecast.

The Disaster Management Centre said 734 people belonging to 186 families faced hardships due to strong winds and rainfall, particularly in Sabaragamuwa, Western, North Central, Northern and Eastern provinces.

DMC assistant director in Kegalle, Anushka Chamila, said 140 people have been bad affected by heavy winds the past week. Centres have been set up to house those who have been worst affected by the flooding.

“We have already taken the initiative to provide relief and assistance to the people who were affected,” he said.

It was a rainy start to back to brisk business in Pettah as the lockdown was lifted on Friday . Pix by Akila Jayawardana

Due to the heavy rains on Friday a stream running through Nuwara Eliya town had overflowed inundating many areas. Pix by Shelton Hettiarachchi