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Adverse weather: Two dead and 2,668 affected

18 May 2020

  • Cyclonic weather to continue over next 48 hours
By Sarah Hannan The prevailing cyclonic weather conditions have affected 2,668 persons from 775 families, injuring five persons and leaving two persons dead between 14 and 16 May, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The DMC also revealed a total of 473 houses were partially damaged,103 commercial buildings were damaged, and nine houses were fully damaged due to floods, cutting failures (river banks or slopes washing away due to flooding), and high winds. Eight districts experienced heavy rains coupled with strong winds, flash floods, cutting failures, tree and rock fallings, and lightning-related incidents. The Kegalle District experienced the brunt of the adverse weather that affected 1,868 persons from 568 families. The two deaths were reported from the Kegalle and Galigamuwa Divisional Secretariats (DSs), the causes of their deaths being cutting failure and drowning, respectively. The Department of Meteorology issuing the latest forecast indicated that the cyclonic storm AMPHAN (pronounced as “um-pun”) over southeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood has intensified into a “Severe Cyclonic Storm” and lay centred at 8.30 a.m. yesterday (17) near latitude 11.4°N and longitude 86.0°E, which is about 610 km northeast of Trincomalee. Accordingly, it is very likely to intensify further into a “Very Severe Cyclonic Storm” and will very likely move northwards within the course of the day today (18) and then re-curve north-northeast wards towards west Bengal coast on 20 May. Due to the influence of the system, the prevailing showery condition over the island, particularly in the southwestern part, is likely to continue further. Very heavy showers above 150 mm are likely at some places. Wind speed can be increased up to 50-60 kmph at times over the island. Cloudy skies can be expected over the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur in the Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and North Western Provinces along with isolated very heavy showers exceeding 150 mm during the next 48 hours. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the North Central and Uva Provinces and the Mannar District. Wind speed can be increased up to 60-70 kmph at times in the sea area extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota. Wind speed reaching 90-100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph is prevailing over southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal. Under the influence of the system, the possibility for heavy showers or thundershowers and sudden roughness associated with sudden increase of wind speed up to 60-70 kmph is high in shallow deep-sea areas around Sri Lanka within the course of the day. There is a possibility that nearshore sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota may experience surges due to the effect of swell waves having a 2-2.5 m height. The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning activity during thundershowers. For the land area:
  • People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low-lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant
  • Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant
  • Take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning activity
  • Beware of fallen trees and power lines
  • Be alert on the advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology
  • For emergency assistance, contact the local disaster management authorities
For the sea area:
  • Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the shallow and deep-sea areas around the Island until further notice
  • Those who are out at sea over these regions are advised to return to coasts or moved safer areas immediately
  • Those in the sea area are requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard

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