Heavy rains to reduce from tomorrow

Meteorology Department Director General K.H.M.S. Premalal said based on yesterday’s atmospheric observations the heavy rains were expected to lessen in intensity by tomorrow.

He said showers and thundershowers will occur at times mostly in the South-Western part of the country including the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western Provinces.

The Met Department said in the 24-hour period ending at 8.00 a.m. yesterday showed a reduction in the rainfall in the South-West though some areas received heavy rains.

It said Moragaswewa (Deduru-Oya) had a rainfall of 151mm, Gampaha -138.5mm, Kuliyapitiya -120.5mm, Anamaduwa -117.8mm, Thabbowa -104.2mm and Colombo -55.8mm. The highest rainfall recorded was 169mm in Hindawa in the Ratnapura District.

Director of Irrigation (Hydrology) Engineer, Mala Alawathugoda said flooding and subsequent potential landslide threats have forced the evacuation of people in low-lying areas where four main rivers have reached flood level, currently at normal level except Kelani Ganga, Attanagalu Oya and Ma-Oya.

National Building Research Organization (NBRO) Senior Geologist Gamini Jayatissa said red alerts with regard to possible landslides issued to five districts including Kegalle, Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura and Nuwara Eliya were extended until 4.00 p.m. today. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)