A slight increase in rainfall is expected over the south-western part of Sri Lanka over the next few days, beginning today (July 28), the Department of Meteorology said.
Showers will occur at times in the Sabaragamuwa province and in the Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts, according to the department. Several spells of showers are forecast for the Western and North-western provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts. Mainly dry weather will prevail over the rest of the island.
The department also expects strong winds of about 40-50 kmph at times over the western slopes of the central hills, across the Northern and North-central provinces, and in the Hambantota, Trincomalee and Puttalam districts.
The wind forecast follows a separate 24-hour advisory the department issued at 11.00 a.m. on July 27, valid until 11.00 a.m. today, warning of strong winds driven by active south-west monsoon conditions. In that advisory, reported by the Daily Mirror, the department cautioned that gusts could dislodge roof tiles, bring down power and telephone lines and topple tree branches, posing a risk to people and property. Crop damage and sea-wave inundation in low-lying coastal areas were also flagged as possible.
Wind speeds in the sea areas from Hambantota to Pottuvil and from Kalpitiya to Kankesanthurai via Mannar could reach 50 to 60 kmph at times, making those waters very rough, the department said. Vessels anchored near harbours were warned of possible collision damage, and fishing and naval communities were advised to follow recommended safety measures.
The turn towards wetter conditions in the south-west comes after weeks of unusually dry weather across much of the country, which the department has linked to strengthening El Niño conditions.
