News Today: Heavy Rainfall Expected Today with Landslide Risk

The South-West monsoon is beginning to intensify over Sri Lanka, prompting the Meteorology Department to issue an alert for heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm in several areas. Regions expected to be most affected include the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and North-western provinces, as well as Galle, Matara, Nuwara-Eliya, and Kandy districts. Cloudy skies will cover most of the country throughout the day, with continued showers or thundershowers forecasted.

The Department further predicts rainfall in Central and Northern provinces, while North-central areas will see several spells of showers. Other parts of the island may also experience evening or nighttime thundershowers.

Strong wind conditions are also likely to persist. Fairly strong winds ranging from 30 to 40 km/h are expected across the North-western, North-central, Northern, Southern provinces, and the Trincomalee district.

Authorities have urged the public to take precautions against potential damage from temporary localized strong winds and lightning, which are common during thundershowers. Safety measures should be strictly followed to minimize risk to life and property.

Adding to the urgency, landslide warnings have been issued for high-risk zones. Experts caution that if heavy rains continue, there is a significant threat of landslides in the following Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSDs) and their surrounding areas:

• Sithawaka (Colombo)

• Elpitiya (Galle)

• Palindanuwara and Ingiriya (Kalutara)

• Pasbage Korale (Kandy)

• Bulathkohupitiya, Ruwanwella, Dehiowita, and Warakapola (Kegalle)

• Eheliyagoda, Kiriella, and Kuruwita (Ratnapura)

Residents in these regions should remain alert and follow updates issued by disaster management authorities.