Naval and fishing communities have been warned against venturing into several deep-sea and coastal areas due to the intensification of Cyclonic Storm “Murasu” over the Bay of Bengal.

According to the Department of Meteorology, the storm was centered near latitude 13.3°N and longitude 83.0°E, approximately 480 kilometers north-northeast of Kankesanthurai, at 11.30 p.m. yesterday (01).

The system is very likely to intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm over the West central Bay of Bengal within the next three hours, the Met. Department said. 

It is then expected to move northwestwards and cross the South Andhra Pradesh coast between Nellore and Narsapur as a Severe Cyclonic Storm between midnight today (02) and the early hours of tomorrow (03).

Accordingly, naval and fishing communities have been advised not to venture into deep-sea areas bounded by 10°N–17°N and 80°E–90°E until further notice, it added.

Those already operating in the affected sea areas have been urged to move to safer locations.

The Department of Meteorology has also advised naval and fishing communities to refrain from venturing into deep and shallow sea areas extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankesanthurai until further notice.

Meanwhile, showers or thundershowers are expected at several places in the sea areas around the island.

South-westerly or southerly winds are expected at speeds of 25–35 kmph, while wind speeds may occasionally increase to 40–45 kmph in sea areas extending from Chilaw to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.

These sea areas may become fairly rough at times, while other sea areas around the island are expected to remain moderate.

The Department further warned that temporarily strong gusty winds of 60–70 kmph and very rough seas could occur during thundershowers.

Naval and fishing communities have been urged to remain attentive to future forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology.