Colombo, Nov 30 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lanka’s Meteorology Department, on Thursday warned that the island could face more heavy rains due to a cyclonic storm which was gradually moving away from the island.
In its latest weather update, the Department said that the deep depression in the Arabian Sea, to the west of Sri Lanka was now located at 300km to the west of Colombo. It is likely to develop in to a cyclonic storm within next few hours and move further away from the island. Hence it’s effect for the country is expected to be lessen gradually by Friday.
Showers or thundershowers will occur over most parts of the island.
Heavy falls (above 100mm) can be expected at some places in the Northern, North-central, Uva, Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces.
Fairly heavy falls (above 75 mm) can be expected at some places elsewhere.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity, the weather forecast said.
Meanwhile Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena, on Thursday ordered tri forces to deployed to provide immediate assistance to those affected by strong winds and heavy rains across the country.
The President’s office said that Sirisena, who is presently on an official visit in South Korea, had been briefed on the present situation by the Disaster Management Center.
The President has instructed officials to expedite relief work and expedite search operations to find the missing fishermen who had gone out to sea and had lost contact due to the adverse weather conditions.
The government has also announced that an immediate sum of Rs.10,000 would be given to each family affected by the adverse weather.
Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Center said that four people had been killed and at least 23 had been reported missing since strong winds and heavy rains lashed out across the island since Wednesday night.
The Police said that fatalities had been reported from Galle, Gampaha and Badulla Districts while severe destruction had been caused in several areas acrossthe country.
The Disaster Management Center said that since water levels in some of the major rivers including Nilwala, Gin and Kalu rivers were rising due to heavy rains, people had been urged to be cautious and evacuate to higher grounds.
He said the police and relief teams had been advised to be on alert and help those who had been stranded or affected by the adverse weather.
Power failures have been reported from many areas across the island while roads have been blocked by fallen debris and uprooted trees.