The Department of Meteorology predicts showers or thundershowers at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts today.
The Met Department said fairly heavy showers above 75 mm can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa province and in the Kalutara, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.
Several spells of showers may occur in the Anuradhapura district as well. Meanwhile, strong winds about 40kmph can be expected at times in the western slope of the central hills, Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces and in the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.
The general public has also been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Flood warnings have been issued to residents of low-lying areas adjacent to the Kalu and Nilwala Rivers and Attanagalu Oya owing to incessant rains.
The Department of Irrigation said there is a threat of flooding in the next few hours in the Pelmadulla, Nivithigala, Ratnapura, Kuruwita, Elapatha, Ayagama, Palindanuwara and Bulathsinhala Divisional Secretariat areas along the Kalu river, Pasgoda, Kotapola, Pitabeddara, Akuressa, Athuraliya, Malimbada, Thihagoda, Devinuwara and Matara Divisional Secretariat areas along the Nilwala river and the Mirigama, Attanagalla, Gampaha, Ja-Ela and Wattala Divisional Secretariat areas along the Attanagalu Oya.
The Department therefore requested residents to remain vigilant of rising water levels.
Meanwhile, landslide warnings issued to eight districts due to adverse weather conditions will remain in place till 4.30pm today.
Warnings issued by the National Building Research Organization are in effect in the Colombo, Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya Districts.
Meanwhile, red landslide warnings have been issued to residents of the Ratnapura, Kalawana, Elapatha, Kuruwita and Eheliyagoda Divisional Secretariat areas in the Ratnapura District.
Accordingly those residing in landslide prone areas must relocate immediately.
Meanwhile, the Department of Examinations says if any candidate sitting the 2021 GCE Ordinary Level Examination is facing difficulties to reach the designated examination centres due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions, such students can report to the nearest examination centre.
Commissioner General of Examinations LMD Dharmasena said special arrangements have been made considering the current climate in the country.
Dharmasena noted with the support of the Disaster Management Centre, they will relocate centres, if exams are cannot be held in a particular location.
He said a special programme is in place, if they are compelled to relocate an entire examination centre.
The Commissioner General of Examinations said however if a student is unable to reach a particular examination centre, then it is advisable to call the 117 DMC hotline or report to the nearest centre.
LMD Dharmasena added additional time will be provided for such students to complete the examination papers.
He said military personnel and Police officers are also on standby to provide transport facilities.
Commissioner General of Examinations LMD Dharmasena noted the best course of action would be to call the DMC hotline, since certain examination centres may not have adequate space or specific examination papers.
The Examinations Commissioner General noted that they have taken all measures to complete the 2021 O/L exam successfully.
There had been a number of reports of certain O/L examinations centres being affected by the prevailing inclement weather conditions.
Meanwhile, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre Maj. Gen. (Retd) Sudantha Ranasinghe said DMC offices in the Colombo, Gampaha Kalutara, Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Puttalam, Kurunegala and Kandy Districts are on standby to support the Examinations Department to conduct the 2021 GCE Ordinary Level Examination.
Maj. Gen. (Retd) Sudantha Ranasinghe said students, parents and teachers can contact them around the clock on the 117 hotline number if they require any assistance.
He said they will take required measures by coordinating with the Examinations Department and regional Education Offices to direct students to examination centres despite adverse weather conditions.
The DMC Director General said a major operation was conducted in Puttalam recently and noted that they will provide maximum support to conduct the O/L exam successfully.
The 2021 GCE Ordinary Level Examination will draw to an end today (1).
The exam which was scheduled to be held in December 2021 was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
After being postponed for five months, the examination commenced on the 23rd of May.
