Prevailing rain in South-West to continue for hours

Colombo, May 22 (Daily Mirror) - The Meteorology Department says the South-West monsoon is gradually getting established over the island, with prevailing rainy conditions over the south-western parts expected to continue during the next few hours.

According to the latest weather forecast, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.

Very heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm is likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces, while heavy falls above 100 mm are expected in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts.

Several spells of showers are also expected in the Northern Province and Anuradhapura District.

Meanwhile, showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva Province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m.

The department further said that fairly strong winds of 35-45 kmph can be expected at times over the western slopes of the central hills, and in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western and Southern provinces, as well as in the Trincomalee District.

The general public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.