Influence on the weather of the island by the cyclonic storm “Amphan” is expected to reduce from tomorrow (21), the Department of Meteorology said issuing an advisory for shallow and deep sea areas around Sri Lanka.

The cyclonic storm “Amphan” lay centre over North-west Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood, at 08.30 a.m. today (20) near latitude 19.8°N and longitude 87.7°E, about 1420 km North-east of Trincomalee.

It is very likely to move further north and north-eastward away from the island across the Bangladeshi coast in the afternoon.

Wind speed can increase up to 60 kmph at times in the sea area extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankesanturai and Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

Wind speed reaching (100-150) kmph and gusting up to 180 kmph is prevailing over Northern Bay of Bengal.

There is a possibility that nearshore sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota may experience surges due to the effect of swell waves, having (2.0-2.5) m height.

The sea areas around the island can be fairly rough. The sea areas extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankesanturai and Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be rough at times.

Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into the Northern Bay of Bengal sea area until tomorrow evening (21).