Dr. Jeff Masters' WunderBlog

Renewed flooding in Sri Lanka kills 11, affects 1.05 million
Posted by: Dr. Jeff Masters, 10:21 AM GMT on February 07, 2011 +4
Renewed flooding in Sri Lanka due to heavy monsoon rains has killed at least 11 people and inundated the homes of 1.05 million people over the past week. The floods occurred over the central, north, and east portions of the island, and have the potential to devastate the rice crop and cause hundreds of millions in damage. Many of the areas affected were also hard-hit by January's 100-year flood, which killed 43 people, affected over 1 million people, and did at least $500 million in damage. Those floods destroyed 21% of Sri Lanka's rice crop. Heavy rains from the annual northeastern monsoon are common in the region from December through February, but this year's rains have been enhanced by the strong La Niña event occurring in the Eastern Pacific. According to the United Nations, the rains in January in Sri Lanka were the heaviest in nearly 100 years of record keeping. The flood that resulted was a 1-in-100 year event, according to The U.N. Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System. Rainfall at Batticaloa, Sri Lanka, during the 42-day period December 1 - January 12 was 1606 mm (63"), which is about how much rain the station usually receives in an entire year (1651 mm, or 65".) Satellite estimates of rainfall over Sri Lanka for the first week of February show that up to 12 inches (300 mm) of rain has fallen. The latest rainfall forecast from the GFS model projects that a tropical disturbance (91B) near Sri Lanka will bring an additional 1 - 3 inches of rain to the flood area this week, so the flood waters will be slow to recede.


Figure 1. AP video of the latest flooding in Sri Lanka.

Jeff Masters
Categories: Flood
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201. hydrus 3:35 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Quoting Grothar:


Yes, and one of them being trying to find someone to go outside and hold one of those things.

Personally, I think Andrew remains very close to those of us who experienced it. Never do I want to see anything like that again.
Cyclone Oz comes to mind..I remember that night very well...
Member Since: September 27, 2007 Posts: 1 Comments: 14675
202. hydrus 3:37 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Good night to all..:)
Member Since: September 27, 2007 Posts: 1 Comments: 14675
203. caneswatch 3:38 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Quoting Grothar:


Yes, and one of them being trying to find someone to go outside and hold one of those things.

Personally, I think Andrew remains very close to those of us who experienced it. Never do I want to see anything like that again.


We could've got the same thing from Ike, but that high saved us big time.
Member Since: October 8, 2008 Posts: 14 Comments: 4479
204. caneswatch 3:39 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Quoting hydrus:
Good night to all..:)


Night Hydrus!
Member Since: October 8, 2008 Posts: 14 Comments: 4479
205. GeoffreyWPB 3:43 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Quoting caneswatch:


We could've got the same thing from Ike, but that high saved us big time.


img src="Hurricane Ike">
Member Since: September 10, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 9247
206. Grothar 3:44 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Nite, hydrus, nite, Geoff, nite Patrap, nite canes and anyone else. Got to go. Say hello to the night shift for me. And Canes........GO TO SLEEP!!!!!
Member Since: July 17, 2009 Posts: 58 Comments: 19661
207. Patrap 3:45 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Night Grandpa...

I Mean Grothar
Member Since: July 3, 2005 Posts: 377 Comments: 112965
208. GeoffreyWPB 3:46 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Quoting Grothar:
Nite, hydrus, nite, Geoff, nite Patrap, nite canes and anyone else. Got to go. Say hello to the night shift for me. And Canes........GO TO SLEEP!!!!!


Good night my friend.
Member Since: September 10, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 9247
209. GeoffreyWPB 3:47 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Quoting Grothar:
Nite, hydrus, nite, Geoff, nite Patrap, nite canes and anyone else. Got to go. Say hello to the night shift for me. And Canes........GO TO SLEEP!!!!!


Member Since: September 10, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 9247
210. caneswatch 3:48 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Quoting Grothar:
Nite, hydrus, nite, Geoff, nite Patrap, nite canes and anyone else. Got to go. Say hello to the night shift for me. And Canes........GO TO SLEEP!!!!!


Good night good sir, and how many times do I have to say NO? LOL
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211. Grothar 3:49 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Quoting Patrap:
Night Grandpa...

I Mean Grothar


Take your pick. LOL Take care!

Member Since: July 17, 2009 Posts: 58 Comments: 19661
212. Grothar 3:51 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Quoting GeoffreyWPB:


Good night my friend.


Good Night, Geoff-Boy. Don't forget to feed the chickens.
Member Since: July 17, 2009 Posts: 58 Comments: 19661
213. Ossqss 3:53 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Dang it,,,,,,,,,, ya made me check on the Sun stuff and poof, that 2012 thing keeps coming up. It is like a magnet!!!! Interesting, none the less, and about that dynamo thing? :)

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2003/29dec_magneticfield/

Edit~~~~ wrong vid the first post, LOL




Out>>>>>>>>
Member Since: June 12, 2005 Posts: 6 Comments: 8154
214. GeoffreyWPB 4:11 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Did something happen with the site?
Member Since: September 10, 2007 Posts: 0 Comments: 9247
215. sunlinepr 4:13 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
With water up to the roof and your are hanging there.... Katrina

Member Since: August 2, 2010 Posts: 19 Comments: 8466
216. Chicklit 4:20 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Hi and bye...busy as heck and have to get some sleep cuz got to get up early and do it all over again!
Just reporting in to say we had a pretty strong cold front blow through ECFL about 4 p.m. today.
We've had a some much-needed rain which is great. Not complaining, but we could use some more.
Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10380
217. sunlinepr 4:20 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Quoting Ossqss:
Dang it,,,,,,,,,, ya made me check on the Sun stuff and poof, that 2012 thing keeps coming up. It is like a magnet!!!! Interesting, none the less, and about that dynamo thing?


Michio Kaku said - we will go back 150 years, paralizing the US and will take years to get back - 10 Katrinas in damage...
Member Since: August 2, 2010 Posts: 19 Comments: 8466
218. Chicklit 4:23 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Yes, the site is messed up Geoffrey.
cannot post photos or links.
nite all.
Member Since: July 11, 2006 Posts: 14 Comments: 10380
220. IKE 11:04 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
6-10 day temperature outlook......


Member Since: June 9, 2005 Posts: 23 Comments: 37070
221. BahaHurican 11:18 AM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Morning all...

It's hitting me this morning that shape matters... If the coastline of New Zealand was reversed, that is, with the long Northland peninsula on the eastern side of the North Island rather than the western, NZ would get hit with TCs all the time.... lol

Glad to see OZ is getting a bit of a break from the eastern flooding... now if they could get some rain in the SW!

Ya'll have the best possible day....
Member Since: October 25, 2005 Posts: 19 Comments: 17961
222. islander101010 12:48 PM GMT on February 08, 2011    
time to start looking for candles at the garage sales it would be kind of scary if the solar flares are forecasted in dec 2012
Member Since: September 11, 2010 Posts: 0 Comments: 3069
223. Vincent4989 12:55 PM GMT on February 08, 2011    
224. Neapolitan 1:03 PM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Quoting Vincent4989:


Good thing it didnt happen in Manila.

I don't image the residents of Jolo and Leyte share your sentiments... ;-)
Member Since: November 8, 2009 Posts: 4 Comments: 11302
225. Neapolitan 2:05 PM GMT on February 08, 2011    
Member Since: November 8, 2009 Posts: 4 Comments: 11302

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About JeffMasters
Jeff co-founded the Weather Underground in 1995 while working on his Ph.D. He flew with the NOAA Hurricane Hunters from 1986-1990.

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