Cyclonic storm developing close to eastern coast

The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal was moving closer to the eastern coast of Sri Lanka and will intensify further into a cyclonic storm during next 06 hours, the Meteorology Department has warned.

Under influence of the system cloudy skies will prevail over most parts of the island, very heavy showers and strong gusty winds can be expected in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western and Central provinces.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Central, Western, and North- western provinces and in Trincomalee and Kegalle districts. Very heavy showers above 150 mm are likely at some places.

Showers will occur at times elsewhere of the island too. Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places.

Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central, Central, Western, North-western, Southern and Eastern provinces.

At least four deaths have been reported and six others missing due to incidents related to inclement weather conditions that has also affected a total of 207,582 persons in different parts of the country.

Meanwhile President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today  directed officials to provide immediate relief services to affected people in disaster-stricken areas by gathering information on-site rather than relying solely on technological data.

These remarks were made during a discussion held today (27) at the Presidential Secretariat with state officials, aimed at expediting relief services for disaster-affected populations.

The President instructed officials to ensure that affected individuals are sheltered in secure locations and provided with essential food, water, and sanitary facilities. He also directed authorities to allocate sufficient funds for relief efforts.

During the meeting, particular attention was given to the high-risk Northern and Eastern Provinces, which are severely impacted by adverse weather conditions.