Southwest monsoon brings heavy rain, strong winds across island

Colombo, May 26 (Daily Mirror) - The Meteorological Department said the southwest monsoon is gradually establishing over Sri Lanka, with a further increase in rainfall expected across the southwestern parts of the island.

According to the Department, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces, as well as in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts. Heavy rainfall of around 100 mm is likely at some locations in these areas.

It further said that showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva Province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

Fairly strong winds of 30–40 kmph can also be expected at times over the western slopes of the central hills, as well as in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western and Southern provinces and in the Trincomalee district.

The public has been urged to take adequate precautions to minimize possible damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.