Red alert issued for 20 districts as rains intensify: Met. Dept.

• Fairly heavy rainfall of more than 150 mm could be expected in some places in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama

A red alert (High risk) for heavy deluge has been issued for 20 districts, the Meteorology Department said yesterday.  The Department said, with the low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, fairly heavy rainfall of more than 150 mm could be expected in some places in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces.  

 The Department requested that people living in hilly slopes (particularly landslide-prone areas) and low-lying areas adjacent to river basins to be vigilant.  
Motorists who are using the roads in the hilly areas and along the slopes are cautioned to be vigilant and watchful against underlying dangers caused by lightning, landslides etc. and also beware of fallen trees, rock slips and power lines.  
Accordingly, the 20 districts, including Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Puttalam, Polonnaruwa, Matale, Batticaloa, Kurunegala, Gampaha, Kegalla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Ampara, Monaragala, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Galle, Matara and Hambantota have been alerted over the weather conditions.  
Furthermore, the department requests the public to be on alert for advisories issued by the Meteorology Department and to contact the local disaster management authorities for emergency assistance.