The Meteorological Department yesterday issued an advisory stating that the depression located in East Central Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression.
The Meteorological Department stated that the depression located in East Central Bay of Bengal has intensified into a deep depression and was situated near latitude 16.3N longitude 89.7E on Sunday.
And it is very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and move to north-northwestwards and reach the West Bengal coast tomorrow (26).
Accordingly, sudden roughness of the sea associated with strong winds (50-60 Kmph, up to 70-80 Kmph gusty wind at times) during thundershowers are expected over the North Andaman sea and adjoining east-central Bay of Bengal and deep-sea area of southwest Bay of Bengal during the next few days.
Therefore showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas extending from Mannar to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle. Accordingly, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Southern Provinces.
Heavy falls above 100 mm can be expected at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. The advisory further mentioned that there is a possibility that near shore sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Galle via Colombo may experience surges due to the effect of swell waves, having a 2.5-3.0 m height.
It also added that wind speed can be increased up to 40-50 Kmph at times over the island and especially wind speed can increase up to 50-55 Kmph at times in Western slope of the Central hills, Northern, North-Central, North-Western and Uva Provinces and in the Hambantota district. Wind speed can increase up to 55-60 Kmph in the sea areas extending from Chilaw to Trincomalee via Puttalam, Mannar and Kankesanthurai and in the sea area extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
The Met Department also advised the Naval and fishing communities not to venture into the East Central Bay of Bengal and adjoining areas (08N-20N, 83E-100E) and sea areas around the island until further notice. The sea area extending from Chilaw to Kankesanthurai via Mannar and the sea area extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota can be very rough at times.
