Rains to continue:

Beware of thunder showers, warns Met Dept

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Meteorology Department (MET) has warned people living in low lying areas which are prone to floods and earthslips to beware of thunder showers which are now being experienced in many parts of the country.

Meteorologist Chaminda de Silva told the Sunday Observer that the pre-monsoon rains experienced at present will continue for another three or four days and it will be followed by South- West Monsoon rains which will also last for a few days.

Asked whether the present weather patterns will continue until the end of May and affect the forthcoming Vesak festival, de Silva said that the MET Department could forecast the weather only for a period of 72 hours and not beyond.

A senior MET Department spokesman called upon people, especially children to be more vigilant when watching television, using electrical equipment and also connecting live wire during thundershowers.

Over 15 deaths were reported during the past 10 days from various parts of the country due to lightning.

The Met Department said that heavy thundershowers were experienced in the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces during the past four days.

Meanwhile, CMC Commissioner Badrani Jayawardhane said due to heavy rains most roads in the Colombo city and suburbs were submerged on Wednesday and Thursday and the heavy traffic congestion affected office workers and schoolchildren.