Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology has warned naval and fishing communities against venturing into several sea areas around the island as a depression in the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm.
In a special warning issued at 11.30 a.m. today (November 15), the Department said the depression, located east of Sri Lanka, was positioned approximately 600 km northeast of Trincomalee as of 5.30 a.m.
The system is expected to move northwestwards, remaining well off Sri Lanka’s eastern coast, and intensify into a deep depression by tomorrow morning (November 16).
It is further expected to develop into a cyclonic storm by tomorrow night and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by November 17.
Accordingly, naval and fishing communities have been advised not to venture into deep-sea areas bounded by 05°N–15°N and 80°E–90°E, as well as sea areas extending from Kankesanthurai to Hambantota via Trincomalee and Pottuvil, until further notice.
Those already operating in the affected sea areas have been advised to move to safer locations.
The Department has also urged naval and fishing communities to remain attentive to future weather forecasts and warnings. (Newswire)
