India/Sri Lanka: flooding expected after Diwali

Heavy rain and flooding across Sri Lanka and the extreme southern portions of India are expected throughout the week, according to Accuweather.

Heavy rains will be focussed over Sri Lanka on Tuesday (November 6), coinciding with the Hindu celebration of Deepavali, or Diwali.

Rainfall will be varied across southern India on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the highest chance of heavy, flooding downpours arriving after the holiday on Thursday and Friday. Northern and eastern Sri Lanka into southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala are expected to see the heaviest rain.

The sudden downpours may lead to flooding, with mudslides also a concern across the higher terrain of Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

Heavy rain is not uncommon in these areas at this time of year, as the Northeast Monsoon gets underway. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) officially declared the start of the Northeast Monsoon in these areas on Nov. 1 this year.

source: T&M