Ministry of Defence - Sri Lanka

Monsoonal rains to continue further

May 29, 2024

The inclement weather experienced in most parts of the country is likely to continue further according to the latest forecasts of the Met Dept. predicting showers of over 100mm at places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya district.

In its latest weather report issued today morning (May 29) the Dept. says due to the active South West Monsoon the prevailing showery and windy conditions over the island will continue further.

Strong winds of about 50-60 kmph can be expected at times over the western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central, Western, Southern and North-western provinces and in the Trincomalee and Monaragala districts.

The sea areas around the island will be very rough with waves increasing up to about 2.5 m – 3.5 m in height at sea areas off the coast, extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota. Therefore, there is a possibility that near shore sea areas extending from Kalpitiya to Matara via Colombo and Galle, may experience surges due to sea waves.

With the heavy downpour, the water levels of several tributaries of Kalu, Gin and Nilwala rivers had recorded a rise.

Disaster management authorities have taken action to face emergency situations and tri forces personnel are also kept on alert for rescue and relief operations.

Meanwhile, a group of Sri Lanka Navy divers and members of its Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) from the Southern Naval Command cleared a blockage under the Dodamgoda Bridge over the Gin River in Baddegama in Galle which had been clogged with flood debris.

Flood waters carry considerable amounts of debris downstream which gets clogged under bridges restricting the smooth flow and posing a flood threat to low lying areas.