Extreme weather : Five updates for Wednesday

June 5, 2024 at 9:31 AM

  • Weather forecast for Wednesday:

The Met Department says several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and Northwestern provinces today. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places elsewhere on the island in the evening or night. 

  • Weather forecast for sea areas:

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Hambantota via Puttalam, Colombo and Galle. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the other sea areas around the island.

Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be 25-35 kmph. Wind speed may increase up to 50-60 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Mullaitivu to Puttalam via Kankasanthurai, Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil.

  • Warning for Naval & Fishing communities

The sea areas off the coasts extending from Mullaitivu to Puttalam via Kankasanthurai, Mannar, and from Hambantota to Pottuvil can be rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers. Naval and fishing communities are requested to remain vigilant in this regard. 

  • Flood warning:

The Disaster Management Centre says the flood warning for the Kalu River basin issued on the 1st of June 2024 has been further extended for the next 48 hours today. Residents in those areas and vehicles travelling through those areas have been requested to remain vigilant. 

Major floods have been reported in the Putupaula and Millakanada areas due to Kalu Ganga, while major floods have been reported in Baddegama due to Gin Ganga, and Thalagahagoda due to the Nilwala River. Minor floods have been reported in N’Street due to the Kelani River, in Ellagawa due to Kalu Ganga, in Panadugama due to the Nilwala River, and in Dunamale due to Attanugalla Oya. Yellow Alerts have been issued to the Ratnapura and Magura areas due to the Kalu Ganga. 

  • Disaster Situation Report as of today (June 05): 

247,406 persons from 65,777 families in 13 districts have been severely affected due to the adverse weather conditions experienced across Sri Lanka. A total of 21 deaths have been reported so far, while 13 persons have been injured and one individual is reported missing. 10,820 persons from 2592 families have been placed in 151 safety shelters as of today. (Newswire)