Sri Lanka’s Meteorology Department today warned the Naval and fishing communities not to venture in to the sea around the island as a cyclonic storm in the Bay of Bengal is strengthening. The Weather forecast for sea areas around the island during next 24 hours issued at 05.30 a.m. on 23 May said the low-pressure area located in East Central Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression around 23rd. The system is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm by 24th and further into a severe cyclonic storm during subsequent 24 hours. It is very likely to move north-northwestwards and reach near west Bengal coasts around 26th May, the Meteorology Department said.
The Department advised the naval and fishing communities not to venture into the East Central Bay of Bengal and adjoining area from 22 May, and sea areas around the island from 23 May, until further notice. The sea area extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and the sea area extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambanthota can be rough at times. The other sea area can be fairly rough. Wind speed can be increased up to 55-60 kmph in the sea area extending from Chilaw to Trincomalee via Puttalam, Mannar and Kankasanthurai and in the sea area extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota. Wind speed can be increased up to 50 kmph in the other sea areas.