As the South-West monsoon is gradually establishing over Sri Lanka, rain is expected in some areas today (20), according to the Department of Meteorology.
Accordingly, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places.
Several spells of showers will occur in the Northern province and in the Anuradhapura and Hambantota districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 pm.
Fairly strong winds about 30-40 kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Meanwhile, showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places elsewhere around the island in the evening or night.
Winds will be southwesterly. Wind speed will be 30-40 kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Pottuvil via Kankasanthurai, Mannar, Puttalam, Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Trincomalee to Pottuvil via Kankasanthurai, Mannar, Puttalam, Colombo, Galle and Hambantota will be rough at times. The other sea areas around the island can be moderate.
The wave height may increase about 2.0 – 2.5m in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Puttalam, Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers. (Newswire)