Strong winds, heavy rains lash Matara

Strong winds exceeding 80 kmph with heavy rains lashed several areas in Southern Province particularly in Matara District this evening, the Disaster Management Centre said today.

DMC Assistant Director Pradeep Kodippili told the Daily Mirror that residents of these areas should be on alert to avoid disastrous situations caused due to strong winds.

“Naval and fishing communities need to refrain from fishing and maritime activities around the country as the wind speed will increase up to 70-80kmph in all coastal areas,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department said that these strong winds would be proceed towards Southern, North Western, North Eastern, Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in the coming hours and the situation would be settled by tomorrow evening.

Department’s Duty Meteorologist told the Daily Mirror those strong winds about 70 kmph would be experienced inland, whilst strong winds about 80 kmph would be experienced in the coastal areas.

“The lower atmospheric condition which is now prevailing in the country is currently at seas off Galle and it would be proceeding out of the country through seas off North Western Province through Western Province,” she said.

It was reported that vehicles and roofs of buildings were damaged due to the strong winds prevailed during last hour in Matara. (Thilanka Kanakarathna and Kalathma Jayawardhane)