150mm heavy rain expected in Eastern and North-Central areas

Colombo, January 8 (Daily Mirror) - Heavy rainfall exceeding 150 mm is likely at some places in the Eastern Province and in the Mullaittivu, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Polonnaruwa districts, following the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre said.

Issuing a weather advisory, the department said the deep depression is currently located about 250 kilometres southeast of Pottuvil. It added that heavy showers above 100 mm can also be expected at some locations in the Uva Province and in the Nuwara Eliya, Matale and Mannar districts.

According to the Forecasting Division, the deep depression system is likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lankan coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. and 11.30 p.m. tomorrow (9).

Strong winds of up to 60 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 70 kmph at times, are expected over the eastern slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western, Central, Uva, Eastern and Southern provinces, as well as in the Gampaha and Colombo districts.

The Meteorological Department urged the public to take adequate precautions to minimise damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.