150mm of rain witnessed around the country today

Colombo, May 23 (Daily Mirror) - The southwest monsoon conditions are gradually establishing over the island and heavy showers of about 150 mm will be observed in the  Sabaragamuwa Province and in the  Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts during the day.

While issuing a general weather forecast this morning, the Forecasting Division of the National Meteorological Centre also said the prevailing showery and windy conditions will continue further.

Accordingly, heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western and North-Western Provinces and in the Mannar, Galle and Matara districts.

Meanwhile, showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western, Southern, and Northern Provinces.

Strong winds up to 60 kmph can be expected at times over the western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-Central, Western, Southern, and North-Western-Provinces. 

Meanwhile, thundershowers will  occur in the sea areas extending from Mannar to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle; heavy showers are likely at some places. The winds will be south-westerly in the sea areas around the island, and the speed will be up to 50 kmph. It may increase up to 70 kmph at times in the sea areas extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota.

The sea areas extending from Mannar to Kalpitiya and Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota will be very rough at times and the naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into these sea areas until further notice.

The swell waves can reach a height of about 2.5–3.0 m, and they may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kalpitiya to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota.

Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.