Local fishermen cautioned, though Cyclone moves towards Bay of Bengal

As the cyclonic storm Sitrang was heading towards Bay of Bengal Sri Lankan fishermen,  particularly multi-day boats have been told to keep from the region as well as the Andaman islands for the next few days.

Both, the Disaster Management Centre and the Meteorology Department providing fresh updates said that while fishermen have been requested to keep of the regions locally the adverse weather conditions are expected to continue until Wednesday.

The Metrology Department said Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-Western and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm may be expected at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Department said.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in Uva, Eastern and North-Central provinces during the afternoon or night.

The public also have been requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Meanwhile the DMC said so far 18,000 people have been affected while the death toll in 10 days have gone up to 16.

As many as 14 districts have been affected by floods.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) today said  that the cyclonic storm Sitrang   was about 300 km from Sagar Island and that it would intensify further into severe cyclonic storm by Monday evening.

Sitrang, which is likely to intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm, will bring in its wake heavy to very heavy rain and wind reaching speed of 90 to 100 kmph, gusting to 110 kmph, in the coastal districts of South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore on Monday, the weather office in India was quoted as saying.

The cyclone is expected to cross Bangladesh and adjoining West Bengal coast on Tuesday morning (October 25). According to the forecast, Sundarbans, on both sides of the international border, is likely to receive the maximum impact.

PICTURES FROM BOMIRIYA, KADUWELA BY ESHAN FERNANDO