The Department of Meteorology urges the public not to panic over news reports of a possible cyclone threat to Sri Lanka in the coming days, Director General of the Department of Meteorology, Sarath Premalal Kehelella told the Sunday Observer. The department is monitoring what he called an ‘indication of a development’ in the South Andaman Sea. According to him, no cyclone has formed yet in the area. “We are continuously monitoring the situation,” he said, adding that the public will be warned beforehand of any possible cyclone threat.
Meteorologist Adam Douty of Accuweather, a provider of commercial weather forecasts has claimed that a budding tropical system in the South Andaman sea, may prove to be more impactful than cyclonic storm Ochki. People are now worried of its possible effects on Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, cyclone Ockhi continues to move away from Sri Lanka and is currently over 850 km to the west of the island, in the Arabian Sea. “Its effect on the country is expected to lessen gradually,” the Director-General said.
The Department of Meteorology has, however, predicted showers or thundershowers after 2 p.m. in various parts of the island today. Showers or thundershowers may occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central provinces and in the Puttalam, Galle and Matara districts in the morning as well, the Department forecasters said, adding that fairly heavy falls between 50-75 mm can also be expected at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces. Fairly strong winds up to 50 kmph can also be expected in the Ratnapura, Kalutara and Galle districts.
The sea area off the coast extending from Colombo to Hambantota via Galle can be rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 60 kmph. The Department requests the Naval and fishing communities to be vigilant as temporary, strong, gusty winds up to 70-80 kmph and very rough seas can also be expected in the sea areas during thundershowers today.