Advisory for strong winds issued due to Cyclonic Storm “Montha’’ in Bay of Bengal

Strong winds of about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts, due to cyclonic storm “Montha” to the northeast of Sri Lanka in Bay of Bengal, the Met Department stated.

The Cyclonic Storm “Montha” over the Bay of Bengal, to the northeast of the island, lay centered near latitude 14.4°N and longitude 83.3°E, about 650 km northeast of Mullaitivu at 2.30 am today.

It is likely to move nearly north-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm and to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast during the evening/night today, the Department added. 

Naval and fishing communities are warned not to venture to the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Batticaloa via Trincomalee, during next 24 hours.

Naval and fishing communities, engaging activities over the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanturai via Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota are requested to be vigilant in this regard.

The wind speed in the sea areas marked on the map below will increase to (70-80) kmph at times with heavy thundershowers and those sea areas will be rough or very rough at times. 

Meanwhile, several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces, the Met Department stated. A few showers may occur in Northern province and in Anuradhapura district.

Strong winds of about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts.

The general public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by strong winds.