Puttalam sits in Sri Lanka’s North Western province, a transitional zone that receives rainfall from both the southwest and northeast monsoons but in smaller amounts than the wetter southwest.
On a lagoon on Sri Lanka’s northwest coast, the town’s drier climate still faces flood risk during either monsoon’s more intense rain events. This intermediate rainfall pattern means the region’s rivers and drainage systems can be tested by either monsoon season, and radar helps distinguish routine showers from the more intense rain bands that can cause local flooding. Learn more: Flash Flood Warning Signs on Radar · Open the full Rain Map