Showers, thundershowers in most areas

By Naalir Jamaldeen

The Meteorology Department yesterday (22) predicted showers or thundershowers could occur after 2.00p.m in many places in the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Western Provinces and Galle and Matara districts.

While commenting on the current nature of the atmosphere, Senior Meteorologist Deshamanya Mohammed Saliheen yesterday predicted that showers above 100 millimetres could be expected in a few places in these regions. Fairly light showers could occur in the morning in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, he said.

Saliheen cautioned against possible lightning strikes and heavy winds and advised to take adequate precautionary measures to minimise damages to property and life.

He said a low pressure zone will form today (23) in the central part of Southern region in the Bay of Bengal and is expected to intensify and move towards the Northern and Eastern coast of Sri Lanka tomorrow (24). Intermittent showers are expected in the sea areas and fishermen and other marine workers have been instructed to be vigilant and take adequate precaution while navigating in these areas.

Saliheen also stated that showers or thundershowers could occur in the deep and shallow seas from Trincomalee extending to Hambantota via Batticaloa and Pottuvil owing to the depression being formed in the Bay of Bengal and heavy showers could occur in the South Eastern seas as a result.

In the event of thundershowers the wind velocity is expected to be above 70 to 80 kilometres per hour (kmph) and in such circumstances the seas will remain temporarily severely turbulent, Saliheen added.