• Nearly 17,000 people affected since 22 May

The Department of Meteorology stated that showers would occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces and in the districts of Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya today (1 June).

Showers or thunderstorms are also expected at several locations in Uva Province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon and evening.

Fairly strong winds of 30 to 40 kmph are expected over the western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North Central, North Western and Southern provinces, as well as in Trincomalee District.

The public has been advised to take precautions against lightning and temporary strong winds associated with thunderstorms.

At sea, south-westerly winds are expected to strengthen to between 60 and 65 kmph in waters stretching from Mullaittivu to Chilaw via Kankasanthurai and Mannar, and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

Sea conditions in those areas are expected to be very rough, with wave heights reaching between 2 and 2.5 metres in some coastal waters.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Centre stated that a total of 16,668 people belonging to 4,271 families have been affected by severe weather conditions reported across several districts between 22 May and yesterday (31 May).  

Ratnapura, Galle, Hambantota, Trincomalee, Kalutara, Colombo, Gampaha, Puttalam and Vavuniya are among the worst-affected districts. Heavy rainfall, strong winds, floods, landslides, lightning strikes and falling trees were reported during the period.

One person was killed and another injured. Three houses were completely destroyed, whereas 957 houses suffered partial damage. A total of 116 people from 49 families are currently being accommodated at two safety centres.