Lull from mid – February to March:

Rains continue until May

Rasika SOMARATHNA

In comparison with previous years, Sri Lanka has received an extended spell of rain in the latter part of 2010 and in the early part of 2011. The prevailing rainy conditions are expected to continue on and off until May, according to Meteorology Chief G B Samarasinghe.

However Samarasinghe predicts a lull in showers from mid-February to the latter part of March in which period Sri Lanka would co-host the Cricket World Cup.

According to Met Department, Colombo received only 21 mm of rain in January 2010 while during the same period in 2011 Colombo has received an average rainfall of 37.2 mm.

The total rainfall was 40.4 mm in Anuradhapura in January 2010 and in 2011 it had risen to 273.1 mm. Samarasinghe yesterday said that the present heavy rains could ease by Friday. However it is expected to pick up again in a few days and once again decrease by mid-February. He said that quantitywise the rain received due to the north, east monsoon has been abnormal this time round. According to him the changing weather patterns the world over too has played its role in extending rains.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said that the latest spell of rain had affected over 2,500 people while displacing 2,000 people.

Nearly one million people were affected due to rains in the latter part of 2010. It also caused large scale damage to both man and property.

The DMC said that a child had drowned in Vavuniya while in Trincomalee district, several low-lying areas and certain roads were reported to be inundated due to overflowing of irrigation tanks.

In Anuradhapura, several spill gates of Kalawewa, Rajanganaya and Nachchaduwa have been opened. Handungama, Malwathuoya and Awukana bridges are inundated. Low lying areas of Kalaoya and Yanoya are facing a severe threat of floods.

In Polonnaruwa several spill gates of Parakrama Samudraya, Kawudulla and Minneriya tanks have been opened. Galella, Manampitiya area in Polonnaruwa- Batticaloa road is reported to be impassable due to flooding.

In Badulla 15 families living in landslide prone areas have been evacuated while several families have been evacuated from landslide prone areas in Nuwara Eliya.

Ragala – Nuwara Eliya road has been severely affected due to landslide. The entire race course and surrounding areas in Nuwara Eliya town are reported to be inundated.

Meanwhile, during the last 24 hours Ampara received the highest rainfall of 217.1 mm. The second highest rainfall has been recorded from Potuvil (190.5mm, Bandarawela (150.8 mm) and Badulla (130.6 mm).

The Senanayake reservoir in Iginiyagala is reported to be nearing spill level after a lapse of 16 years.