By Kalinga Weerakkody
Several parts of the country, including Colombo and its suburbs experienced heavy showers during the past two days, but rainfall in the catchment areas was insignificant, the Meteorological Department said yesterday.

Forecasting that the prevailing rainy weather conditions will gradually ease in the week to come, meteorologist Malika Wimalasooriya said the continuing wet weather was the result of a law level disturbance close to the Sri Lankan atmosphere.

He said that the disturbance which occurred in the Bay of Bengal had gradually moved towards the north of Sri Lanka.

Showers and thunder showers are expected in afternoon and evenings in the central hills, inland, north central and coastal areas, depending on the wind directions, he said.

Showers will also be experienced in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, but the end of this month the catchment areas would not experience significant rainfalls, he added.

The skies would be cloudy.

The highest rainfall received during the period ending 9 am yesterday was in Kalutara (86mm) followed by Ratmalana (81.7mm), Negombo (72.4mm), Labugama (72mm) and Colombo (67.3mm).

Meanwhile on the power front, most catchment areas recorded very law rainfall while others remained dry.

The highest rainfall was a mere 19mm in Lakshapana, followed by Kotmale (5.5mm) Norton (2.6mm) Moussekelle (2.5mm), Canyon (1.5mm), Samanalawewa (2mm).

The CEB announced that the power cut schedule for today (23) and tomorrow (24) is as follows:

Sunday - Zone A

5 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and 12 m.n. to 4.30 a.m.

Monday - 6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.

Sunday - Zone B

6.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.

Monday - 8.30 p.m. to 12 m.n.

4.30 a.m. to 7.30 a.m.

Sunday - Zone C

8.30 p.m. to 12 m.n.

4.30 a.m. to 7.30 a.m.

Monday - 5 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

12 m.n. to 4.30 a.m.