Red alert issued in 9 districts; over 150mm rainfall expected: Met Dept

A red alert (Take Action) on heavy deluge has been issued in nine districts, the Department of Meteorology said today.

They said fairly heavy rainfall of more than 150 mm could be expected in some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.

The heavy rainfall is due to a prevailing low-level atmospheric disturbance located to the south-east of Sri Lanka, they said.

Accordingly, the nine districts, including Gampaha, Kegalle, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Colombo, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle and Matara have been alerted over the weather conditions.

Furthermore, the department requested the people living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low-lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.

The drivers and people who use roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.

Public are also requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

Beware of fallen trees and power lines requested to be alert on the advisories issued by the Department. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)