The Department of Meteorology says that the Very Severe Cyclonic Storm “Hudhud” in the Bay of Bengal is moving towards India and is expected to enter the land area today.

Under the influence of the system, increase of wind speed over the island and in the surrounding sea areas is possible. Strong winds will be reduced from tomorrow, it said.

Few showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts while showers may spread to the North-western province as well.

Thundershowers will develop at several places in the Uva, Eastern and Northen provinces during the afternoon or evening. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers, the Met Department said.

Sea Area:

There will be showers or thundershowers at several places in the sea areas around the island.
 
Winds will be Southwesterly and the speed will be 30-40 kmph.
 
The sea areas around the island may be rough at times as winds can strengthen up to 50-60 kmph

Evacuations in India

A mass evacuation is taking place in India’s south-eastern coast as Cyclone Hudhud moves towards land.

Around 150,000 people have already left their homes in the coastal state of Andhra Pradesh, and hundreds of relief centres have been opened.

The cyclone, classed “very severe” by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), will hit Orissa and Andhra Pradesh states in the coming hours.

The IMD predicts the storm will bring winds of up to 195km/h (120mph).