Rains ends drought in NCP

16 October 2011 03:30 pm

The Meteorology Department today said the drought which prevailed in the North Central Province had ended, predicting more rains across the country with the setting-in of the inter monsoon conditions.

A met Department spokesman said Anuradhapura had recorded a rainfall of 54.4 mm today while Polonnaruwa had experienced a rainfall of 18 mm. Sources said the two provinces had  experienced showers during the past two days. Polonnaruwa had experienced a rainfall of 151 mm last Friday.

Hydro catchment areas have also experienced showers today marking the improved weather conditions.

Victoria had experienced a rainfall of 65 mm, Ovathenna 42.5 mm, Samanawewa 28.5 mm and Rantembe 21.5 mm.

However no rains have been reported in the Castlereigh, Maussakelle and Kotmale areas.

The Disaster Management Centre also confirmed the situation and said there was no drought in any part of the country.

Meanwhile, following a government request the UN-SPIDER is planning a Technical Advisory Mission (TAM) to Sri Lanka from October 17 to 21. A team of experts will meet key disaster management authorities in the Government, UN agencies, regional, international organisations and private entrepreneurs to discuss, make recommendations and develop guidelines to improve the use of space-based information in disaster management. (Yohan Perera)