Minor floods in Ratnapura: DMC

Landslide warnings issued in four districts, Met. Dept says that rains will subside today

By Lakna Paranamanna

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported yesterday that there was danger of low lying areas of the Kalu Ganga being flooded, particularly in Ratnapura.
This is due to upper areas of the river being deluge with over 120mm of rain, prompting the warning. The people have been cautioned and relevant officials have been notified. Water levels had reached 19 feet by evening as well.
Despite landslide warnings being issued in four districts the Meteorology Department announced that the heavy rain conditions that have been continuing due to the South West Monsoon, for the past week would subside from today onwards, but added that mild showers will continue.
“Currently the South West Monsoon is in an active state so therefore the rain will settle and would be less constant,” cited Meteorologist Preethika Jayakody. Commenting on the weather forecast for the next 24 hours, she added yesterday that mild showers will continue in the Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces as well as Galle and Matara districts.
“Also fairly heavy rains will continue in the western slopes of the Central hills.” Showers with slight thunder are due to continue in the Northern and Eastern provinces during the afternoons and evenings.
However, constant showers will continue in the Western coastal area while the thunder showers will develop in the South Western coastal areas while thunder showers will continue in the rest of the sea areas. Warnings have also been issued for landslides in Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle and Kalutara. There is also a danger of lower lands in Ratnapura being flooded within these two days if the rain does not let up.
The wind direction in the areas near the bay of Mannar, Western and North Western provinces will be westerly while it would be South Westerly in the other areas. The speed of the winds will range between 40- 50 km/h. However, she added that it could increase up to 60 km/h in the Eastern and Northern sea areas. Jayakody also added that the seas of Western, South Western, Southern and South Eastern areas will be rough.
The Meteorology Department also requests the general public to take adequate precautions to minimise the damages caused by lighting.