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El Nino reduces monsoon intensity

by Rajmi Manatunga and Chandana Maldeniya

South West monsoon rains due later this month may be of a slightly lesser intensity than previous years due to the El Nino factor currently experienced in this region, Meteorological Department sources said yesterday.

However the inter-monsoon rains currently experienced in the country will continue till the end of this month sources added.During this period showers accompanied by thunder and lightning could be expected mostly in the evenings.

There may be rains in some parts of the Western and South Western coastal areas in the morning as well, due to changes in wind directions.

Yesterday's highest rainfall of 92.4 mm was reported from Neboda. Girandurukotte and Yatiyantota received 90.6 mm and 33 mm respectively. Hydro-catchment areas also reported considerable rain with Victoria 35.3 mm, Randenigala 32 mm and Rantambe 20.2 mm.

The South West monsoon will begin by the end of May.These rains will develop in the South Western region and move towards the Western,Southern and Sabaragamuwa provinces.Western slopes of the central hills will also receive rain during this period.This time the North Eastern areas of the country will experience evening thunder showers during the beginning of South Western monsoon.

Sources repeated their warning against lightning hazards and requested people to take adequate precautionary measures to guard against them.

Disasters due to heavy rains have been reported from several parts of the country.

The Warakapola area has experienced heavy rains accompanied by thunder and lightning in the past few days.In Mayinnoluwa two people have been killed by lightning. Four people in Elamaldeniya who were attending a wedding ceremony have also been injured due to lightning. A violent storm has caused damage to property in Kamburudeniya and Atnawala recently.

In Alawuwa a Bhikkhu who had been meditating in his hermitage was killed struck by lightning recently.

In Wattala about 400 families have been displaced by floods in the Bopitiya,Kerawalapitiya, Awarakotuwa, Hendala, Galdadupita, Alagala and Mabole areas.Ministry of Social Welfare has taken steps to provide these families with dry rations.Wattala district secretary Malkanthi Jayampathi said floods were due to unauthorised structures in the low areas.

The water level of the Badulu Oya is rising rapidly on account of recent heavy rains.

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