Based on forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology, enhanced rainfall is expected in river basins across the Uva, Eastern, Central, North Central and Northern Provinces, the Department of Irrigation has warned.
According to an early advisory, there is an increased risk of flooding in river basins within the Ampara, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Vavuniya and Jaffna districts. Residents living in low-lying areas along river valleys and near rivers in these districts have been strongly advised to remain highly vigilant.
Relevant disaster management authorities have also been urged to treat the advisory with the utmost priority and to implement all necessary preparedness and mitigation measures.
Meanwhile, the depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07), the Department of Meteorology said.
The system is expected to move west-northwestwards and approach the eastern coast of Sri Lanka within the next 24 hours, and is likely to intensify further into a deep depression within the next 12 hours, according to the Met Department.
As a result, showers or thundershowers are expected at times in the Northern, North Central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern Provinces. Showers or thundershowers may also occur at several places in other parts of the island after 1.00 p.m.
Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm has been forecast for the Eastern and Uva Provinces, while fairly heavy rainfall of about 50–75 mm is likely in some other areas of the country.
