Enhanced rains no cause for alarm: Met. Dept.

Says El Niño conditions would settle in by July 

By Yohan Perera 

Though it was reported yesterday that rains have enhanced in some parts of the country, including the catchment areas, the Department of Meteorology yesterday ruled out disaster in the coming days. 

“There is an enhanced rainy condition at the moment, and this is due to the Southwest Monsoon conditions. However, there is no alarming situation as there are no signs of developing any disaster conditions,” Meteorology Department Director Forecast Merrill Mendis told Daily Mirror. 

He said the El Niño conditions would settle in by July, and that would bring dry spells to Sri Lanka. 

It was reported earlier that the vigour of the Southwest monsoon will be low due to the El Niño conditions this year. 

Meanwhile, Director, Department of Irrigation N. L. Sooriyabandara told the Media that water levels of Kalu Ganga, Kelani Ganga, Nilwala Ganga and Gin Ganga had increased as of yesterday. “There is no threat of immediate floods although the water levels have increased,”he said. 

However, the rainfall in and around Gin Ganga has been 75mm, Nilwala 55 mm, Kelani 50 mm and Kalu Ganga 50 mm as of yesterday. Norton has received a rainfall of 32.4 mm, Laxapana 37 mm, and Upper Kotmale 13.7mm. 

The highest rainfall of 102 mm was reported from Athureliya in the Matara District, Hiniduma in Galle 92 mm, Boosa 74 mm, Thihagoda 90 mm and Warakapola in the Kegalle District 69 mm yesterday.