Warning for heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas

The low pressure area over Bay of Bengal has become a depression and lay centered at (8.6N,85.2E) to the east of Trincomalee coast about 425km away, the Department of Meteorology said. 

It is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hours. It is expected to be move northwestwards and cross Tamil-Nadu coast during next 48 hours as a severe cyclonic storm.

For Sea Area

Under the influence of aforementioned system, possibility for intermittent showers or thundershowers and sudden roughness, associated with sudden increase of wind speed up to (70-80) kmph is high over Eastern and Northern, deep and shallow sea areas during next 24 hours.

Wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times over sea area extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo.

There is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Kankesanthurai, Trincomalee and Batticaloa may experience surges due to the effect of swell waves, having 2.0-3.0m height during next few days.

Naval and fishing communities are warned not to venture to the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Pottuvill via Mannar, Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee and Batticaloa.

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

Naval and fishing communities are request to be vigilant during the activities in the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and further requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

For Land Area

Very strong gusty winds 60-70 kmph can be expected in Eastern, Northern and North central provinces with strong gusty winds 40-50 kmph elsewhere.

Heavy rainfall with 100- 150mm expected at several places in Northern Province during the next two days while above 150mm rainfalls expected at isolated places.

In North-Central Province, rainfall of about 25- 50mm expected today at several places and 100mm at isolated places.

Rainfall expected at many places in Eastern Province within today with 50- 100mm at several places and above 100mm rainfalls at isolated places.

People living in Eastern, Northern and North-Central provinces are requested to be vigilant and be alert on the advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology.