(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –he Cyclonic storm ‘GAJA’ over the Central Bay of Bengal is now located approximately 480 kilometres away from Kankasanturai to the North-East of Sri Lanka, near latitude-12.0N, Longitude-83.8E at 11.30 PM on Wednesday (14), the Department of Meteorology said on Thursday (16).
It is very likely to move West-South-westwards and intensify further into a Severe Cyclonic Storm during next six-hours.
The system is expected to cross South Tamil Nadu coast and very likely to move closer to the Northern coast of Sri Lanka during today evening.
Under the influence of this system showery and windy condition will enhance over the Northern Province from today evening.
Sea water inundation may occur in the low lying areas in the near coast from Mannar to Kankasanturai.
Meanwhile, showers or thundershowers at times will occur over the Northern Province. Very heavy falls above 150 millimetres can be expected in the Jaffna peninsula. Heavy falls above 100 millimetres can be expected in other areas in the Northern Province.
Several spells of showers will occur in Anuradhapura and Puttalam Districts.
High winds (80 – 90) kilometres per hour, gusting up to 100 kilometres per hour can be expected over Northern Province, particularly over the Jaffna peninsula from today evening.
Very strong winds (60 – 70) kilometres per hour, gusting up to 80 kilometres per hour can be expected over Puttalam, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa Districts from today evening.
Misty conditions may occur at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces during the morning.
