A depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal will develop into a cyclonic storm today prompting the authorities to issue a red alert to naval and fishing communities and coastline residents in the North and the East of the country, senior officials of the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.
They said the depression, some 380 kilometres North-East of Trincomalee was moving rapidly towards the country and would most likely brush along the Northern coast sometime today.
The cyclone with a wind force of 50 kmph could increase speed when it nears the coast and, therefore, the Navy and fishing community had been advised to refrain from venturing into the sea during this period, the officials said.
Those already at sea have been directed to return immediately or move to safer areas and asked to monitor the weather updates issued by the authorities from time to time, the officials said.
The cyclone is expected to move West Northwestward near the North coast of Sri Lanka before moving towards the Tamil Nadu Coast in South India by tomorrow, they said.
The sea areas from Mannar to Pottuvil via Kankesanturai, Trincomalee and Batticaloa will remain rough at all times.
Naval and fishing communities engaged in activities in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Matara have been asked to exercise caution.
The public have been called upon to take adequate precautions to minimise damage caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Navy spokesperson Capt. Gayan Wickramasinghe said the Navy has sent out weather alerts on the developing situation which is the standard procedure during such inclement weather.
He told the Sunday Observer that the Naval vessels currently at sea would return to base if the situation worsens.
“We not only observe the local weather updates but also monitor information provided by neighbouring countries and act accordingly,” he added.
