More rains coming

Tuesday, 1 February 2011 09:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Shezna Shums

The Department of Meteorology forecasts that rainy weather will prevail till at least the end of this week.

Director General of Meteorology, G.B. Samarasinghe told the Daily FT that there will be occasional rains in the Eastern Province, Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provinces of the country.

The Director General also warned that by the end of the week there may be isolated heavy rains in the Eastern Province, Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provinces of the country. He also said that the District Secretariats have been told to be extra vigilant during these times.

“These rains might not cease until the end of the week,” he warned.

Director General Samarasinghe stressed that it is not good news for the people.

According to the Meteorology Department there will be isolated heavy rains and thundershowers with certain areas having strong winds for about 10 to 15 minutes starting Thursday. “These winds will be highly localised. The winds will occur within a small area and the strong winds will last only for a few minutes,” he said.

Afternoon and evening rains are also expected in the Western and Southern parts of the country.

Meanwhile due to the rains in the Eastern Province, some roads have been flooded and the heavy rains have also forced several families to evacuate their homes.

Six tanks were overflowing and the sluice gates were opened to release the excess water.

The Eastern Province is a major paddy cultivation area in the country and around the tanks and reservoirs are many agricultural and paddy lands which could get flooded in the event the tanks gates have to be opened to release the excess water.