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Met. Dept. warns of severe weather today, cautions public against lightning and rough seas
View(s):The Meteorology Department issued last afternoon a severe weather advisory valid for 30 hours warning that showery conditions over the island and surrounding sea areas is expected to increase.
Heavy thunder showers are expected over the island today and into the next week due to a low level atmospheric disturbance over Sri Lanka, the Department said yesterday.
Director (Forecasting) of the Department Anusha Warnas-ooriya, said more than100mm rainfall can be expected particularly in areas of the Eastern, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Western and Southern Provinces.
She however, said the disturbance was not as strong as the one that caused widespread flooding and landslides in certain parts of the island earlier this year.
Fairly strong wind gusts (about 50kmph) can be expected in the northern, north-central and eastern provinces too.
The Department requests the public to take adequate precautions against lightning.
The sea area off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Galle via Trincomalee Kankasanturai and Colombo can be rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 60kmph, the warning further stated.
Temporarily strong wind gusts (up to 70-80kmph) and very rough seas can be expected in the sea areas during thundershowers. Fishermen and Navy personnel have been advised to be vigilant.
Yesterday's sattellite picture of the weather over Sri Lanka