The Department of Meteorology has issued a warning advising naval and fishing communities to avoid several deep-sea areas due to the Severe Cyclonic Storm “Murasu”, currently located over the west-central Bay of Bengal.
According to the Met Department, naval and fishing communities have been advised not to venture into deep-sea areas bounded by latitudes 10°N–17°N and longitudes 80°E–85°E until further notice.
Those already operating in these areas have been urged to move to safer locations.
A separate warning has also been issued against venturing into deep-sea areas extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai until further notice.
The Severe Cyclonic Storm “Murasu” was located near latitude 15.3°N and longitude 80.3°E at 2.30 a.m. today (November 3). It is expected to move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast of India today.
Meanwhile, showers or thundershowers are expected at several locations in the sea areas surrounding Sri Lanka.
Southwesterly or southerly winds of 25–35 kmph are forecast, with wind speeds expected to increase to 40–45 kmph at times in sea areas extending from Chilaw to Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankasanthurai.
These sea areas are likely to become fairly rough at times, while other sea areas surrounding the island are expected to remain moderate.
The Department further cautioned that temporarily strong gusty winds reaching 60–70 kmph and very rough sea conditions could develop during thundershowers.
Naval and fishing communities have been urged to remain vigilant and closely follow future weather forecasts and advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology.
