Department of Meteorology says rainfall is expected to increase across the southwestern parts of Sri Lanka over the next few days as the Southwest Monsoon gradually establishes over the island.
Accordingly, showers or thundershowers are forecast at times today (25) in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces, as well as in the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts.
Fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 75 mm is likely in some areas. Meanwhile, isolated showers or thundershowers may occur in parts of the Uva and Eastern provinces after 1.00 p.m.
The department also warned of fairly strong winds of 30-40 kmph at times over the western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western and Southern provinces, including the Trincomalee district.
The public has been advised to take precautions against temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
At sea, showers or thundershowers are expected in waters off the coast from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle, while a few showers may occur in other sea areas around the island during the evening or night.
Winds over sea areas will be southwesterly with speeds of 30-40 kmph, increasing up to 50-60 kmph at times in sea areas from Kankasanthurai to Chilaw via Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
The sea areas off these coasts are expected to be rough at times, while other surrounding sea areas will remain fairly rough. Wave heights may rise to 2.0 to 2.5 metres in sea areas extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.
The Meteorology Department further warned that temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas could occur during thundershowers.
