Southwest monsoon to pour in high volumes in SL this year

Four boys play in the floodwaters in the Gampaha area. Pic by Kushan Pathiraja     

By Yohan Perera and Pradeep Chathuranga Samarawickrama  

The intensity of the Southwest Monsoon is expected to increase this year as a result of global warming and the La Nina weather condition, triggering concerns about flashfloods and other related disasters, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.   

It means a high volume of rainfall will be experienced in a short period of time which is otherwise spread over a longer period. Sri Lanka experiences Southwest Monsoon rain from May to September every year.   

“The normal intensity of rain in Sri Lanka is around 20mm an hour but it has arisen to 100mm an hour during the past two weeks,” a spokesman from the department said. The reasons cited was the change in the wind flow in the atmosphere. Heavy winds pushes the intensity of the rains up according to the department.  “We have warned the public about the situation earlier as well,” the spokesman said.   

However, the country experienced less rainfall yesterday compared to the previous couple of days.   

The monsoon is expected to become active once again by June 8.   

The death toll due to inclement weather conditions has risen to 16 with 5 people dead in Ratnapura, 6 in Matara, 2 in Galle while 3 people have died in Colombo as per the data put out by DMC.   

Four people of the same family - the father and three children died in Avissawella, another two persons died in Deiyandara. Besides, two sisters from the same family were killed in Kayts island in Jaffna. One small girl has been killed in Eheliyagoda. A young man was killed in Elapatha and another male in Ayagama. An apparel factory worker was killed in Kiriella. A mother of three in Gampola was also among the dead.  

Five people are still missing according to the DMC.   

The Education Ministry announced the closure of all schools in the Galle, Matara and Kalutara Districts and also schools in the Sabaragamuwa Province will be closed tomorrow due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions. In addition, schools in the Homagama , Kelaniya, Gampaha education zones and Kaduwela Division will also be closed today.   

Floodwaters were receding in some places. The water level of the Kelani River was decreasing while the water level at Nagalangam Street was on the rise. Ratnapura faced a flood situation despite the water level in the Kalu Ganga receding. Water in the Gin and Nilwala rivers were also receding.   

The Welipenna interchange of the southern expressway which was closed due to floods was opened last morning.   

About 84, 749 people belonging to 21,353 families have been affected by inclement weather conditions during the past few days. Some 23,706 persons who have been displaced are residing in temporary shelters. 

Temporary camps have been set up in the Colombo, Matara, Galle and Ratnapura Districts.