Weather Alert: Windy conditions to continue in coastal areas

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Issuing a weather alert, the Met Department says windy conditions are likely to continue in the North-Western, Western, South-Western and Southern sea areas of the island until tomorrow (July 21) morning. Strong gusty winds up to (50-60) kmph at times are likely to occur over the Western, Southern, Central, Sabaragamuwa, North-Western and North-Central provinces and in Trincomalee district. The sea area extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Puttalam, Colombo, Galle and Hambantota would be very rough on occasions as wind speeds can increase up to 70 kmph. Fishermen are advised not to go out to sea while naval communities are advised to be vigilant. The Ministry of Fisheries noted that 20 multi-day fishing vessels in international waters are stranded due to inclement weather and had reached the Maldives. The ministry previously had informed all fishermen at sea, to dock their shipping vessels at the closest and safest port. The department of fisheries is currently in the process of communicating with the stranded fishing vessels. Meanwhile, the National Building Research Organization has issued a red alert land-slide notice, advising locals in the Imbulpe Divisional Secretariat in Ratnapura, the Kotmale area in Nuwara Eliya and Uda Palatha in Kandy to evacuate to safer locations immediately. The National Building Research Organisation further said that the landslide warnings issued for the Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya, Kegalle, Kandy, Kalutara, Matara, and Galle districts are still in effect. The Disaster Management Center noted that 52 families residing in the Kurusa Paduwa area in Chilaw have been temporarily evacuated due to rough seas. The families have been relocated to the Chilaw - Wella Roman Catholic church. A person was killed in Over-Kanda, Rathgama when a tree collapsed on him while riding his motorcycle. The victim was identified as a 41-year-old resident of Wakwella. During the past 72 hours, a total of 8 people were killed due to inclement weather conditions and landslides. Two individuals, including a child, were injured in Chilaw when a tree collapsed while riding their motorcycle. Meanwhile, a house in Narangala, Matara was heavily damaged as a tree fell down. Our correspondent said one individual sustained injuries. Meanwhile, several areas are experiencing power outages due to falling trees, landslides and inclement weather. The Ceylon Electricity Board stated power supply to 120,000 houses in the Galle and Matara districts was disrupted due to the prevailing inclement weather. CEB added that operations are underway to restore the power supply.