We failed to give public warning: Met Dept

29 November 2011 06:27 pm Views - 4404

The Meteorology Department (MD) today dmitted that it failed to give ample warning to the country and to fishermen in the Deep South, in particular last Friday, about the impending gale force winds and storm that wrecked havoc destroying property and human lives.

Director General of the MD G.B.Samarasingha told a news briefing last afternoon that it was impossible to forecast a sudden weather change that happens in minutes like this and there was no guarantee that this will not happen in future and the MD could give advance warning.  
 
“There was an upper air disturbance developing into low pressure areas. But there has been heavy and windy rain which called ‘Squall Line’ inside the cloud cluster that brings severe storms that can form along or ahead of the cold front”, Mr. Samarasingha explained.

“This is what happened on Friday. It was not a cyclone indeed but unfortunately the department was not able to predict it in advance as it was extremely short and happened instantly. Do not forget that we do predictions in forecasting weather situations,” he added.

Mr. Samarasinghe said the MD is capable of giving advance warning on earth slips and tsunami more accurately than earlier as they do not take place in minutes. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)