Weather advisory issued for heavy rains

The Department of Meteorology has issued a weather advisory for the next 24- hours starting from 04 pm today.

Issuing a statement, the Department said the low-pressure area over the South-west Bay of Bengal is currently located in the sea area off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka.

Thereby, the showery condition is expected to enhance further over the sea areas around the island under the influence of this system.

The Naval and fishing communities have been advised not to venture into the sea areas off the coast extending from Mullaitivu to Puttalam via Kankasanturai until further notice.

Wind speed can be increased up to 60-65 kph in above sea areas and these sea areas can be very rough at times, while wind speed can be increased up to 50-55 kph in the sea areas extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota.

Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers, it said. The Met Department further said that heavy showers above 100 mm can be expected at some places in the Northern Province and in the Puttalam, Anuradhapura, and Trincomalee districts during the next 24 hours.

The public has been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.