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More rains for some areas, but insufficient for paddy cultivation in the dry zone
View(s):With seasonal monsoon intensifying in areas of the North and East and high rainfalls within a short period of time being recorded this week, more rains are to be expected, the Meteorology Department said.
Strong winds in Jaffna brought down trees damaging property. Pic by Lohathayalan
The low level atmospheric disturbance and cloudy skies and showery condition still persists over Sri Lanka.
“Showers or thundershowers will occur in the Northern, Eastern and Uva Provinces and in the Hambanthota district. Heavy falls (about 100 mm) within 24hrs can be expected at some places, particularly in the Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Uva Provinces. There may be temporary localised strong winds during thundershowers,” the daily weather forecast said.
In the past three days, the Northern Province recorded a rainfall of 210 mm within a short span of time. Senior government officials said they are constantly monitoring the situation as there was the threat of floods if high rainfall is recorded.
Meanwhile the Director of Irrigation Water Management and Training W.B.Palugaswewa said the Maha season has begun in some areas with 50 per cent of paddy cultivation in the Kurunegala district, 30 per cent in the Hambantota district and 40 per cent in the Polonnaruwa District, being started.
“Paddy cultivation requires a lot of water and in spite of the rains in the drought-stricken areas, the water is insufficient in districts such as Anuradhapura, Vavuniya, Mannar and Puttalam to begin paddy cultivation.