The Department of Meteorology has announced that showers or thunder showers could be expected at times in different parts of the island between January 22 and 24 due to a wave type disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka.
According to the Department, the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva and Southern provinces will receive rains while rains could also be expected elsewhere in the island, particularly after 2.00 pm on the said days while heavy falls exceeding 100 mm are also likely at some places.
Showers or thundershowers are also expected to occur at times in the sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Mannar, Kankesanthurai and Trincomalee.
The sea area off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Balapitiya via Kankesanthurai, Mannar, Puttalam and Colombo, and the sea area off the coast extending from Hambantota to Pottuvil might become rough at times as wind speed can increase up to 50-60 kmph according to sources at the Department of Meteorology.
There may be temporary, localized strong winds during the thundershowers. The Department has advised the public to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by lightning. Misty conditions too can be expected at some places of the island during the mornings particularly in the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces.
The Department said fairly heavy showers were reported from a few places in Polonnaruwa and Matale districts while moderate showers were reported from several places in Central, Uva and Eastern provinces and Kurunegala during the 24 hour-period ending at 8.30 a.m on Saturday morning. The highest rainfall of 62.5 mm was reported at Aralaganwila.