The rainfall received within the past 24 hours had exceeded 150mm, the Department of Meteorology said today. 

It said if the rains continue, people should take preventive measures to evacuate to a safe location to avoid the risk of landslides, slope failures, rock falls, cutting failures and ground subsidence in Eheliyagoda divisional secretariat division and surrounding areas. 

The mostly vulnerable areas to landslides are Karadana North & West, Kalatuwawa West, Makota, Deiyagala, Willegoda, Bopatta, Athgangula, Mahahara, Thalawitiya and Arapola GN Divisions, Ayagama divisional secretariat division and surrounding areas if Namunuthenna, Gangodakanda, Sinhalagoda, Galathura, avichchikanda, Dumbaramanana, Udugala, Kolambawa, Umangedara and Gawaragiriya.

It predicted showers or thundershowers would occur at times in the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces and heavy falls about 100-150 mm can be expected at some places, particularly in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts

The department said heavy falls accompanied by strong winds (up to 70-80 kmph) were expected at some places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa Districts. 

“Temporally Strong gusty winds (up to 70-80 kmph) and very rough seas can be expected in the sea areas from Colombo to Galle and the sea areas from Potuvil to Trincomalee via Batticaloa. The sea area from Galle to Potuvil via Hambantota can be rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 60 kmph,” it said.