N-E monsoon may bring cyclonic storms: Met. Dept.

Although the present rains may subside, cyclonic storms accompanied by widespread showers can be expected during this north-east monsoon season, the Meteorological Department forecasts.

Met. Department Deputy Director S.H. Kariyawasam said a depression which formed in the south-west Bay of Bengal centred about 350 km east of Batticaloa and Trincomalee deepened into a cyclonic storm and caused heavy showers islandwide.“By this week most probably sunshine can be expected but there would be scattered rain, mostly thundershowers, around the country,. Though a cyclonic condition may not arise during this week, there is a possibility of a cyclone during this month,” he said.

Met department duty forecaster said that during the north-east monsoon period Sri Lanka experiences heavy showers along with stormy conditions.“During this monsoon season, widespread showers can be experienced in the Eastern, Northern, North Central and North-Western Provinces. The Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and several districts in the Southern Province may experience scattered heavy showers,” she said.