Nuwara Eliya is experiencing unusual weather with temperatures dropping, frost on the ground and sudden temperature rises.
District Secretary D.P.G Kumarasiri has warned the public to be alert, following reports of possible rains, while the misty conditions too are making it difficult for motorists.
He says that people driving through Nuwara Eliya need to be cautious, to avoid accidents because of this condition.
The District Secretary said that people living in places where there is a threat of landslides and rock falls, have been warned to be watchful and evacuate if there are impending signs of such threats.
He said that the reason for this unusual weather condition is that, though it usually rains in the district in November, this time, rains with heavy mist are being experienced in January.
“Even though no accident has been reported because of this condition, people need to be warned of such situations,” the District Secretary said.
Last Sunday, Nuwara Eliya’s temperature dropped to 6 to 7 degrees C, while in the first few days of this week, frost fell.
Similar frosty conditions were experienced 20 to 25 years ago, and these conditions usually continue from January to February.
In most gardens and open areas the presence of frost created a beautiful scene, with the locals and tourists enjoying it, while water left out in the open turned into ice.
On January 11, 2007, it rained for 24 hours, with the rainfall exceeding 150mm in the Nuwara Eliya district. Eight persons died, while 3,500 were sent to refugee camps.
Mr Kumarasiri said that people in Walapane and Hanguranketha areas are being specially warned. The District Secretary said that the rainfall and the mist in these areas might even last for one or two more months.
SI Seneviratne of the Nuwara Eliya police said that traffic police are being dispatched to areas where there is heavy mist, such as Wedamulla, Labukele, Kandapola on the Kandy road and Mahagastota and Hakgala. Traffic police will look out for motorists driving at high speed in these areas, he said.
 |
 |
 |
Pix by Shelton Hettiarachchi
|
|
E-mail
