South-West monsoon strengthens; Over 300 mm heavy rain in Gampaha and Kegalle

Colombo, May 22 (Daily Mirror) - The South-West monsoon is gradually becoming established over the island, with more than 300 mm of heavy rainfall recorded in the Gampaha and Kegalle districts this morning, Director of the Meteorology Department Merril Mendis said.

Issuing a statement to the media, he noted that the prevailing rainy conditions over the south-western parts of the country are expected to continue for the next few hours.

Accordingly, showers are expected at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces, as well as in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts.

The Department warned that very heavy rainfall exceeding 200 mm is likely at some locations in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces, while heavy rainfall above 100 mm may occur in parts of Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts.

Meanwhile, several spells of rain are expected in the Northern Province and Anuradhapura District.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few locations in the Uva Province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m., the Department added.