Showers exceeding 75mm expected in several districts today

Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology forecast showers or thunderstorms in numerous parts of the island after 1 p.m. on Sunday, October 18, 2026. A forecast issued at 5:30 a.m., reported by Newswire, said rainfall above 75 mm could occur in some locations in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces, as well as Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Mullaitivu districts. Rupavahini News also included Western and North Central provinces in its areas facing falls above that level.

The outlets gave differing accounts of where the heaviest rain was expected. Daily Mirror reported a chance of more than 100 mm in parts of Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Matara, Galle and Puttalam districts. Hiru News and Ada Derana headlines pointed to falls above 100 mm in Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and Badulla District. A separate Newswire headline described an alert for more than 150 mm in six districts, but the supplied report did not name those districts or give additional details.

Newswire said the Meteorology Department issued an amber warning for severe lightning at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, remaining in force until 1 a.m. Monday. The advisory covered Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Central, Eastern and Uva provinces, plus Kurunegala, Jaffna, Vavuniya and Mullaitivu districts. It warned of intense lightning and temporary strong winds during thunderstorms.

The advisory recommended going indoors during thunderstorms, avoiding trees and exposed locations, and keeping away from water. It also cautioned against wired phones, plugged-in electrical devices and open transport, including bicycles, tractors and boats. People were told to look out for fallen trees or power lines and seek help from local disaster-management officials in emergencies.

The forecast also included possible morning rain along coastal parts of Puttalam, Mannar and Jaffna. Rupavahini News additionally mentioned Western Province and coastal areas of Galle. Mist could form before dawn in some locations in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces. The reports gave no later forecast update.

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.