Cyclone MICHAUNG moving away from Lanka

The cyclonic storm “MICHAUNG” across the Southwest Bay of Bengal, was around 365km northeast of Jaffna as of Sunday (3), and is predicted to develop further as it heads northwestwards from Sri Lanka towards India’s North Tamil Nadu shores.

It is set to head northwards and towards South Andhra Pradesh coasts by Tuesday (5).

The Department of Meteorology noted that, “MICHAUNG” will bring occasional showers or thundershowers in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Northern, Southern, and North-western Provinces along with moderately heavy rainfall over 75mm at certain areas.

Several other locations will see showers or thundershowers after 1:00 pm, a Duty Meteorologist of the Met. Department said.

The public have been urged to take preventive measures to reduce harm that can be caused by high winds and lightning during thunderstorms.

Undertaking activities in the sea areas off the shores extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankesanthurai is hazardous, according to Met. Department officials.

Accordingly, fishing and naval communities were warned not to venture into deep and shallow sea areas and were further requested to be on alert on future forecasts released by the Met. Department.

It is therefore recommended that; fishing and naval collectives avoid entering the said sea zones until further notice.

Communities involved in fishing and naval operations in the other marine regions surrounding the island are asked to exercise caution.