Wet weather to continue: Met. Dept.

The Meteorological Department warns that the prevailing rainy weather will continue throughout the coming two months.

“Presently we are experiencing the inter-monsoon period which is due to end by mid November. However, low-pressure areas and atmospheric disturbances are expected during November and December and these are bound to produce thunder showers” Met. Department’s Deputy Director S.H. Kariyawasam said.

He said the current weather was fickle with rain on one day and sunshine the next day.

“It’s normal to experience such weather patterns during the inter-monsoon period while heavy rains are bound to trigger landslides and floods,” Mr. Kariyasawam said.

Officials at the National Building Research Organization (NBRO), the body monitoring landslides, said alerts have been issued to officials and the public in areas most vulnerable to landslides.

“Ratnapura, Kegalle and Matara are the districts presently affected by the rainy weather. We have alerted the relevant Government Agents of possible landslides in their districts and have asked them to keep a close watch of the weather changes,” Mrs. Kumari Weerasinghe, a scientist attached to NBRO said.

A landslide was reported to have occurred last Wednesday night in an area in the Ratnapura district and though no one was affected the Ratnapura district Disaster Management Unit (DMU) is on the alert.

“An area close to where the landslide occurred last week, is in danger of collapsing and we have informed the public in the area and other areas to remain vigilant,” Priyanga Premaratne, an officer attached to the Ratnapura District DMU said.

Though Kegalle District has not experienced any landslides Assistant District Secretary B. Akiriyagala said a network from grassroots level is being set up to deal with landslides and floods should they occur.

“We have provided all the Grama Niladharis and people in the GN divisions whatever information is available on landslides, the reasons they occur and areas prone to such occurrence. In case they spot early signs of landslides, the GNs are directed to notify the Divisional Secretaries who will pass the information to us,” Mr. Akiriyagala said.

Matara District Secretariat Administrative Officer D.S.K. Gunasekera said the authorities were taking preventive measures by creating awareness among the people on the reasons for the occurrence of landslides, especially the dangers of indiscriminate felling of trees.

“Now people are more aware and vigilant about floods and landslides. We have experienced these in the past and the displaced people were sheltered in schools and temples. We will do the same in case the need arises this time too,” Mr. Gunasekera said.