Southwest monsoon gradually sets in across Sri Lanka

The southwest monsoon is gradually establishing over the island, the Department of Meteorology announced in a statement.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and Northwestern provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts.

Several spells of showers may occur in the Northern province and in the Anuradhapura and Hambantota districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva and Eastern provinces and in the Polonnaruwa district after 2.00 p.m.

Fairly strong winds up to 30 to 40 kilometres per hour will blow at times over the western slopes of the central hills, and in the Northern, North-central, and Northwestern provinces and the Hambantota district, the statement noted.

The department requested the public to take necessary precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.