Bay of Bengal deep depression: ‘Red’ alert issued for gusty winds, rough seas

The Department of Meteorology has issued a ‘Red’ alert for gusty winds and rough seas today (Dec.02) as the depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression.

It was located near latitude 10.5°N and longitude 84.1°E, at 5:30 a.m. this morning and about 380km northeast of Trincomalee.

The department said this deep depression will likely develop into a cyclonic storm by tomorrow (Dec.03).

The system is expected to move west and northwestward near the North coast of Sri Lanka towards the North Tamil Nadu coast of India by Monday (Dec.04). Thereafter, it would move northwards as a Cyclonic storm and cross South Andhra Pradesh coasts on Tuesday.

As such, the Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Kankesanturai, Trincomalee and Batticaloa and into the marked areas over the next 48 hours.

Those who are already out in aforementioned sea areas are meanwhile advised to return to coasts or move to safer areas immediately.

(The forecast track and intensity of the system are mentioned below.)