Cyclone enters the country, red alert warning issued

Northern, North-Central, Eastern and Uva provinces and Puttalam district will experience very heavy rainfall today, the Meteorology Department warned.

The atmospheric depression over Southwest Bay of Bengal has entered through the East coast and is moving across the country.

“Cloudy skies will prevail over most parts of the island. Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over the Northern, North-Central, Eastern and North-Western provinces".

People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low-lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant. The Department requests the public to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms. 

Accordingly cloudy skies will persist over most parts of the island, and heavy showers above 100mm will also come in bursts in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva provinces and in Puttalam district.

Showers could also be expected in the vicinity of the island during day or night.

Downpours above 100mm would be likely in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, and Uva provinces and in the Puttalam district.

Blustery winds of 40 to 50 KMPH are expected subsequently over the provinces of Northern, North-Central, Eastern, and North-Western provinces.

Hence, the Meteorology Department has already sent word to the naval and fishing communities not to venture into the above mentioned shallow sea areas off the coast during the next 24 hours spreading out from Galle to Pottuvil via Colombo, Puttalam, Mannar, Kankesanthurai, Trincomalee, and Batticaloa and to be extra vigilant in the rest of the sea areas around the island.