Fishermen warned as ‘Amphan’ turns into super cyclone

Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the shallow and deep sea areas around the Island until further notice due to the extremely severe cyclonic storm ‘Amphan’, the Department of Meteorology warned. 

The department issued a warning for heavy rain, strong winds for land area and shallow and deep sea areas around Sri Lanka.

It said the very severe cyclonic storm ”AMPHAN” has further intensified into an extremely severe cyclonic storm and lay centred over central part of South Bay of Bengal and neighborhood, at 05.30 a.m. of 18th May near latitude 13.2°N and longitude 86.3°E, about 765 km North-east of Trincomalee. 

“It is very likely to intensify into a Super Cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and likely to move north-northeastwards towards west Bengal coast during the afternoon of 20th May.”

Sea Area 

Wind speed can be increase up to 70-80 kmph at times in the sea area extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota. 

Wind speed reaching 100-150 kmph and gusting up to 200 kmph is prevailing over southeast and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal. 

Under the influence of the system, heavy showers or thundershowers will occur over sea areas around the island during next 24hours. 

There is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambanthota may experience surges due to the effect of swell waves, having 2.0-3.0m height. 

Eastern and North-eastern deep and shallow sea areas can be high and other deep and shallow sea areas around the island will be very rough, it said.

Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the shallow and deep sea areas around the Island until further notice. 

Those who are out at sea over these regions are advised to return to coasts or moved safer areas immediately. 

Naval and fishing communities are also requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

Land Area 

Showers or thundershowers will occur in Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces with isolated very heavy showers exceeding 150 mm during next 48 hours. 

The wind speed can increase up to 60-70 kmph at times over the island, the advisory said.

People living in hilly areas particularly landslide prone areas and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant while motorists and people using roads in the hilly areas are also requested to be vigilant. 

The public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity, beware of fallen trees and power lines and also be alert on the advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology. 

For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.