Under the influence of an Easterly wave, showery conditions are expected to enhance to some extent over the island from today (16), the Meteorology Department said. 

Several spells of showers will occur in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva and Central Provinces. 

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the other areas of the island after 1 p.m. 

Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 kilometres per hour can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the Central hills, the Northern, North-Central and North-Western Provinces and in the Trincomalee, Hambantota and Monaragala Districts. 

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces and in the Galle and Matara Districts during the early hours of the morning. 

Hence, the general public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, landslides are a natural phenomenon that occurs due to factors such as rainfall, which is primarily the case in Sri Lanka, according to Senior Geologist of the National Building Research Organisation, Dr. Wasantha Senadeera. He stated that landslide warning notices are issued under three stages, namely Level One, Level Two, and Red Evacuation Notices. Dr. Senadeera noted that these warnings are categorised based on numerical values derived from recorded rainfall levels in the relevant areas. He emphasised that the issuance of Red Notices does not imply that only those areas will experience landslides, as regions under Level One and Level Two warnings are also susceptible to landslides. Dr. Senadeera stated that a landslide may occur at any warning stage once an alert has been issued, while areas under Red Notices face a higher risk of major landslides. He added that while heavy rainfall can trigger large-scale landslides, areas under Level One and Level Two warnings may also experience failures of man-made slopes, including embankment collapses. Dr. Senadeera further stated that the issued warnings advise the public to remain vigilant regarding embankment failures, rock falls and potential landslide-prone locations. Dr. Senadeera noted that several identified landslide-prone areas, such as Galboda, Diyanilla, Weeriyapura, and Udapatha (in Bulathkohupitiya), experience landslides annually to varying degrees, and therefore urged the public to exercise heightened caution.