The Meteorology Department has forecasted a reduction in temperatures across the country as higher rainfall becomes widespread and the southwest monsoon becomes active after May 20.
Anticipating increased rainfall in most parts of the country, the department highlighted the likelihood of heavy rainfall exceeding 100mm in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, Southern, and Uva provinces, particularly after 1 p.m., due to a low-level atmospheric disturbance. This enhanced rainfall is expected to persist over the next few days.
Showers are expected in the eastern and southern provinces during the morning, while misty conditions may prevail in certain areas of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Central provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts during the morning hours.
As a result of the anticipated heavy rainfall, districts such as Matale, Kandy, Kegalle, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Monaragala, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle, and Matara have been placed on high alert.
The public is urged to take necessary precautions to mitigate damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
The onset of rainy weather in the Jaffna district led to one person being hospitalized due to a lightning strike.
According to Hydrology and Disaster Management Director Eng. S.P.C. Sugeeshwara, a total of 4,982 people from 1,542 families in Sabaragamuwa, the northern, and eastern provinces have been affected by drought, with no reported fatalities. Among the affected, 2,702 individuals were in the Kegalle district, 946 in Kilinochchi, and 1,334 in Trincomalee.
Sugeeshwara noted that although the existing water capacity of reservoirs stands at 74%, the current rainfall is insufficient to significantly increase water capacity in irrigation and hydropower reservoirs.
Despite heavy rains in recent days, only the Dunamale gauging station of the Attanagalu Oya was alerted for possible flooding, with water levels receding. Major rivers are reported to be at normal levels.
Furthermore, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued a yellow-level-one warning in five districts, including Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, and Ratnapura, urging vigilance against landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures, and ground subsidence.
