Cyclonic storm : Weather update for Thursday

• Cyclonic storm over the southwest Bay of Bengal:

The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal, located 100 km northeast of Trincomalee this morning, will move slowly north northwestwards closer to the east coast of Sri Lanka and intensify further into a cyclonic storm today.

The Met department says under the influence of the system, cloudy skies will prevail over most parts of the island and very heavy showers and strong winds can be expected in several areas. 

• Weather forecast for Thursday;

Very heavy showers, thundershowers and strong winds can be expected in the Northern and North-western provinces and Trincomalee district.

 Very heavy showers above 150 mm are likely in some places. Showers will occur at times elsewhere on the island too. 

Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in North Central and North-western provinces and in and Matale and Kegalle districts.

• Weather forecast for sea areas;

The deep and shallow sea areas around the island will be rough to very rough as the wind speed can be increased up to 60-70 kmph at times. Very heavy showers or thundershowers are likely in some places areas around the island.

Swell waves of about 2.5–3.0 m in height may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Kankasanthurai via Trincomalee. There is a possibility that near-shore sea areas off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Kankasanthurai via Trincomalee may experience surges due to swell waves. 

Naval and fishing communities are warned not to venture to the deep and shallow sea areas around the island until further notice. (Islandnews)