The Department of Meteorology has forecast showers or thundershowers at times on Friday across the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North Western provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, with the sky remaining heavy with clouds in those areas.
Fairly heavy falls of about 75 mm are possible at some places in the Sabaragamuwa province and in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, according to the forecast issued at 5.30 a.m.
Strong winds of about 40 to 50 kmph can be expected at times in the North Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North Western provinces.
The department asked the public to take steps to reduce the risk of accidents from temporary strong winds and lightning that can accompany thundershowers.
Context
The forecast keeps the same districts under pressure that have absorbed the heaviest rainfall this week. Sabaragamuwa, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya have been at the centre of the current spell of adverse weather, which has produced landslide warnings, road closures and fatalities in the hill country over recent days.
The National Building Research Organisation has issued landslide warnings for parts of the central highlands during this period, and a landslide blocked the Nallathanniya approach to Sri Pada earlier in the week, with troops placed on standby. Thresholds around the 75 mm to 100 mm mark have repeatedly been reached in these districts since the start of the month.
The Met Department’s daily forecast is issued each morning and is superseded by any separate advisories or warnings released during the day.
