Rain, strong winds create havoc

Rain accompanied by strong winds created havoc in several places this afternoon, the Disaster Management Center (DMC) said. The DMC said that most affected was Jaffna, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya and Matara.

DMC spokesman Sarath Lal said that in Jaffna, more than 200 families had been affected, one person was reported missing and six people sustained injuries in weather related incidents. He added that several houses were also damaged as a result of the weather in 16 Pradeshiya Sabha divisions in Jaffna. He also said that in Nuwara Eliya, some 90 people have been affected while in Matara, one person died and in Polonnaruwa, several houses were also damaged from strong winds. Sarath Lal also said that sluice gates were open at several reservoirs yesterday owing to heavy rains. Meanwhile, in a severe weather warning issued today, the Department of Meteorology said that the tropical cyclone (not severe yet) in the south west Bay of Bengal was centred about 6,530 km to the northeast of Trincomalee (near 11.5N 87.0E). It is likely to move away from the island in a northward direction.

But under the influence of the system, sea areas off the coast extending from Jaffna to Hambantota via Batticaloa will experience strong winds (more than 70 km per hour), rough conditions and intermittent rain. Naval and fishing communities have been requested to refrain from their activities in the sea areas off the north and east coast.

Fairy strong (60kms per hour) South-westerly winds can be expected over Sri Lanka and in the neighbourhood.

There will be intermittent rain in the Jaffna, Kilinochchi and Mulativu districts. Very heavy rainfalls more than 200 mm are possible at some places. There will be occasional showers in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western, Eastern and Southern provinces. Heavy rainfall nearly 100 mm are also likely in some places. (Colombo Gazette)