Storm expected to hit SL today

By Ifham Nizam

The low pressure area in the South-East Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a depression today and likely to intensify further, the Department of Meteorology says.

The depression is expected to intensify further into a cyclonic storm and to cross Sri Lanka. Due to this situation the rainy and windy condition is expected to enhance considerably over the island.

The disturbance in the South-East Bay of Bengal has concentrated into a deep depression and lay centered 500 km southeast of Trincomalee yesterday.

The system is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours.

The system is very likely to move west-northwestwards and cross eastern coast of Sri Lanka between Batticaloa and Point-Pedro around this evening/tonight.

Intermittent showers/thundershowers will occur in the Eastern, Northern, Northern-central, North-western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces.

Very heavy rainfall above 200mm can be expected at some places. Showers or thundershowers at times will occur elsewhere. Heavy rainfall above 100mm can be expected at some places.

Very strong gusty winds (80-90) kmph can be expected in Northern, North-Central, Eastern, North-Western, Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces.

Strong gusty winds (60-70) kmph can be expected elsewhere.

The shore off the coast extending from Kankesanthurai to Pottuvil via Trincomalee and Batticaloa may experience surges due to the effect of swell waves, having 2.0-3.0 m height.

The sea area around the island will be very rough as the wind speed can increase up to 80-100 kmph at times.