(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – The Meteorology Department of Sri Lanka has warned that it would be dangerous to engage in fishing and naval activities in the sea areas of the Bay of Bengal and the Northern and Central Arabian Sea from today until the 11th of August.
In the weather forecast for sea areas around the island issued at 5.30 a.m. Thursday, the Meteorology Department informed the fishermen that it is dangerous to venture into Northern and Central Bay of Bengal sea areas until 08 August and into Northern and Central Arabian Sea areas until 11 August.
Due to the active cloudiness in the Western Sea areas, the possibility for heavy showers/thundershowers and sudden roughness, associated with sudden increase of wind speed (up to 70-80 kmph) in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Kalutara via Puttalam is high during next 6 hours.
Shower or thundershowers may occur at several places in the sea area extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.
Winds will be South-westerly and speed will be (30-40) kmph in the sea areas around the island.
The sea area extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Mannar, Kankasanthurai and Mullaitivu, and the sea area extending from Pottuvil to Batticaloa will be rough at times as the wind speed will increase up to (60-70) kmph at times.
Sudden increase of wind speed up to 80 kmph can be expected over sea area extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Mannar, Kankasanthurai and Mullaitivu particularly in the afternoon and night.
The sea area extending from Hambantota to Pottuvil can be rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times.
The sea area extending from Kalutara to Hambanthota via Galle can be fairly rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.
