Srilanka, June 1 -- Heavy rains caused by the active Southwest monsoon have triggered widespread weather alerts across the country. Disaster Management Centre sources said yesterday that thousands have been affected by flooding, winds and the threat of landslides.

A spokesman for the Department of Meteorology said the rains were expected to intensify in the coming days, particularly in the South-Western region.

Rainfalls over 100mm are forecast in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western Provinces, and in the Galle, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Kandy districts.

Strong winds of up to 60 km per hour are also expected in many areas, including the Central, Southern, Northern, and North-Central Provinces, and along the coast and in...