Rains show no signs of easing: DMC

The rains which prevailed during the past few days will continue while minor flood threat in the Colombo and Gampaha districts had lessened somewhat, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili said.

He said according to the Irrigation Department, that as of last afternoon the water levels at Nagalagama Street had reached alert level.

He said the residents living downstream along the banks of the Kelani River and the Attanagalu Oya should be vigilant of rising water levels.

Dunamale in the Attanagalu Oya had reached minor flood level while water levels at several places had increased in the Kelani River downstream from Hanwella.

Mr. Kodippili said the spill gates of several reservoirs including Rajanganaya, Angamuwa and Thabbowa and Deduru Oya had remained open due to the rains.

He said people should be vigilant for possible landslide threats in the Kalutara District, Walallawita, Agalawatta, Ingiriya, Bulathsinhala and Palindanuwara DS division and surrounding areas.

Meanwhile, issuing a weather summary for next 24-hours, the Meteorology Department said the highest rainfall of 135.5 mm was recorded at Dehiovita in the Kegalle District.

The maximum temperature of five degrees centigrade was recorded at Puttalam while Katunayake and Ratnapura recorded a temperature of three degrees centigrade. Anuradhapura recorded two degrees centigrade below from the normal temperature while Nuwara Eliya recorded two degrees centigrades above the normal temperature.

"Showers or thundershowers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and the Galle, Matara, Jaffna, Mannar and Puttalam districts. Showers or thundershowers will also occur elsewhere after 1.00 p.m. Fairly heavy falls of about 75 mm can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces and the Puttalam District. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Eastern, Uva and North-Central provinces during the morning," the Met Department said. (Yohan Perera and Chaturanga Samarawickrama)