Activation of South West monsoon - cause of strong winds

by Mohammed Naalir

The prevailing adverse weather will continue till the end of the month and the windy conditions are due to the activation of the South-West monsoon. There is no cyclone threat, Duty Meteorologist Meryl Mendis told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

He said winds have intensified over the vicinity of the island. Fishing communities have been asked to refrain from going out into the deep or shallow sea areas especially off the coast from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.

The Southwest Monsoon is active with the convergence of wind flows. Showers or thunder showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Southern Provinces. Showers may extend to the Puttalam and Kurunegala districts too. Heavy falls of nearly 100mm strength are also likely at some places, according to the Duty Meteorologist.

Southwest monsoon winds will be strong upto 80 kilometres per hour at times, over the island and surrounding areas, he said.

There will be showers or thunder showers at times in the sea areas from Puttalam to Hambantota via Galle. Showers can be expected in other sea areas around the island too.

Winds will be in a Southwesterly direction and the velocity will be 40 to 50 kilometres per hour. The velocity may increase up to 70 to 80 kilometres per hour at times in the sea areas from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo and Galle as well as the sea areas off the coast from Jaffna to Trincomalee, Mendis said.

The sea areas around the island will be rough; sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo and Galle as well as the sea areas off the coast extending from Jaffna to Trincomalee will be very rough at times, he said.

Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern Provinces. Showers may extend to Puttalam and Kurunegala districts too.