25 May 2024 12:10 am Views - 383
Pic by Nisal Baduge
Sri Lanka is grappling with severe weather conditions as the South-West Monsoon continues to unleash heavy rains and strong winds across the country.
According to the Meteorology Department, the adverse weather is expected to persist, particularly affecting the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, and Southern Provinces, as well as the Mannar District.
It forecast heavy showers exceeding 100 mm in the Sabaragamuwa Province and Nuwara-Eliya District, while fairly heavy showers of about 75 mm are anticipated in the Western and North-Western Provinces, as well as in Kandy, Mannar, Galle, and Matara Districts.
In addition to these regions, scattered showers or thundershowers are likely elsewhere on the island. Strong winds, ranging from 50-60 kmph, are expected to batter the Western slopes of the central hills and the Northern, North-Central, Western, Southern, and North-Western Provinces, including the Trincomalee District. Other parts of the island may also experience fairly strong winds of 30-40 kmph.
Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Centre has reported six deaths due to falling trees over the last five days, with 1,246 houses being partially damaged by the bad weather.
Compounding the weather woes, a developing cyclonic storm poses a significant threat to the South-Eastern Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal focusing authorities to issue warnings to naval and fishing communities. The low-pressure area over the South-West Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression, currently centred near 15.0°N and 88.4°E as of 5:30 a.m. yesterday (24).
Meteorological forecasts predict that the depression will move North-Eastward, developing into a cyclonic storm over the east-central Bay of Bengal by 5:30 a.m. today, May 25, 2024. It is expected to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm by 11:30 p.m. today. This weather system is likely to bring very strong winds of 60-70 kmph, heavy rainfall, and very rough seas, especially affecting sea areas around Sri Lanka and the South-Eastern Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
Furthermore, the severe weather has caused significant disruptions to the Sri Lanka Railways reporting major delays on the up-country train line after fallen trees and rocks blocked the tracks, leading to widespread service interruptions. The night mail trains to and from Badulla have been cancelled, along with several other special trains scheduled for today (25).
Meanwhile, road traffic between Haputale and Diyatalawa on the Colombo-Badulla Road was brought to a standstill due to fallen trees prompting police to advise the drivers to use alternative routes, including the Bandarawela-Haputale Udapara Road, to avoid the obstructions.
Adding to the challenges, the power supply to the Sri Pada-Nallathanniya area has been disrupted since Thursday evening, causing hardships for pilgrims visiting Sri Padasthana on the final day of the pilgrim season. Hatton Town has also experienced intermittent power failures.
Additional reporting- Prasad Rukmal, Ranjith Rajapakse, Gamini Ilangatilleka and Saman Palitha Nanayakkara
This weather system is likely to bring very strong winds of 60-70 kmph, heavy rainfall, and very rough seas, especially affecting sea areas around Sri Lanka