Over 200,000 Affected by Severe Weather Across the Island

Heavy rain and flooding have caused roadblocks in several areas. The A-9 Road to Jaffna is flooded at Omanthai, and motorists have been advised to use alternative routes. A fallen tree on the Anuradhapura-Colombo Road at Sirambiady, Puttalam has caused traffic disruptions, and the collapse of a bridge in Oluvil, Kalladi has disrupted traffic along the Akkaraipattu- Kalmunai Road 

Meanwhile, the weather system, a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast, about 190 km from Trincomalee yesterday, is likely to move closer to the east coast of Sri Lanka and is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm. Strong winds and very heavy rainfall, exceeding 200 mm, are forecast for the Northern, North-central, and Eastern provinces, as well as Puttalam. The public, especially those near coastal areas, is advised to stay alert and avoid the sea.