Cyclonic storm warning for North and East

Residents in Northern and Eastern provinces, especially in coastal areas are requested to be vigilant, while fishing and naval communities are requested to stay away from sea due to a cyclonic storm developing in the Bay of Bengal, the meteorology department said.

“The low pressure area over Bay of Bengal has become a depression and lies centered to the east of Trincomalee coast about 425km. It is expected to intensify further into a cyclonic storm during next 24 hours and likely to move northwestwards towards Northeast coast of Srilanka on November 24,” the department said issuing a severe weather advisory.

The coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Kankesanthurai, Trincomalee and Batticaloa may experience surges due to the effect of swell waves 2-3 metres heigh during the next few days, the department said.

Northern, Eastern and North-Central provinces are to experience heavy rainfall (100-150 mm) and strong gusty winds of 60-70 kmph.

Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-Western provinces and Galle and Matara districts too will receive rains and experience strong winds as a result of the cyclonic storm.