Rainfall expected to intensify across island

Rupavahini News, Sri Lanka Mirror and Hiru News say the Department of Meteorology reported that an atmospheric disturbance near Sri Lanka had intensified into a low-pressure area. Rupavahini News and Sri Lanka Mirror report that the system is expected to bring more rain across the island and nearby deep and shallow waters.

Newswire and Daily Mirror report that the system was tracking west, away from Sri Lanka, but that its effects were expected to continue. Newswire says a forecast issued at 2 p.m. on Thursday, October 22, anticipated continued influence on Friday, October 23, including rainfall exceeding 100 mm in some places.

Newswire forecasts intermittent showers or thunderstorms in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-western provinces, and in Anuradhapura and Galle districts. It says other areas could see rain after 1 p.m., with totals above 75 mm possible in some locations. Rupavahini News reports intermittent rain in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern, North-western and Southern provinces and Anuradhapura District, with afternoon showers possible elsewhere.

Rupavahini News and Newswire say the department advised people to guard against brief strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms. Both report a possibility of early-morning mist in parts of the Central and Uva provinces. Rupavahini News also says fishing and naval communities and the wider public were asked to follow subsequent weather updates.

Newswire and Ada Derana report that rainy weather may continue until around October 27. Separately, Lankadeepa attributes to the department’s director general a forecast of heavy rain across the island from the evening of October 20, with El Niño identified as an influence. Ada Derana (தமிழ்) reports a severe-lightning advisory covering the Central, Eastern and Uva provinces and Polonnaruwa and Hambantota districts.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.