Dry spell persists in some areas while others grapple with heavy rain

By Yohan Perera  

 Some areas affected by the dry spell, such as the Yala National Park continue to experience a lack of rainfall while other areas grapple with heavy rain. Within the Yala National Park, all lakes and springs remain completely dry, causing concern among wildlife officers who have resorted to pumping water from the Menik Ganga. Additionally, bowsers are being used to fill lakes and springs within the park.  

A similar situation prevails in the Moneragala Divisional Secretariat area, where residents are reliant on bowsers for their water supply.  Contrasting weather conditions were observed in other areas, particularly in Hatton, where heavy rain and strong winds prevailed. 

The Hatton Norton Road and Norton Ginigathhena Road were temporarily blocked due to falling trees. In Matara, reports indicate power outages in some areas due to power lines being damaged by the gusty winds.  

According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), water levels in the Kalu Ganga and Gin Ganga rivers are rising, raising concerns of potential flooding in the Galle and Matara districts. Certain low-lying areas in these regions remain submerged.  In the hydro-catchment areas, significant rainfall was recorded, with Kukuleganga receiving 115mm, Laxshapana 90mm, Norton 87mm, Mausakelle 71mm, and Castlereigh 56mm as of yesterday.  

The Department of Meteorology has forecasted rainfall exceeding 50mm in the districts of Galle, Matara, and Nuwara Eliya, as well as in the Western, North Western, Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces.  

(Additional reports contributed by N. M. Nandasena, Sudath N. M. Hewa, and Sumanasiri Gunatileke)