Low-pressure area weakens, warnings withdrawn

Colombo, January 11 (Daily Mirror) - The Department of Meteorology has announced that the low-pressure area over the Gulf of Mannar is continuing to weaken, resulting in a gradual reduction in its impact on Sri Lanka’s weather conditions.

Accordingly, the department said the advisory issued to restrict fishing and naval activities in both deep and shallow sea areas along the coastal belt from Colombo to Trincomalee, via Puttalam, Mannar and Kankasanthurai, has been lifted.

The warning imposed on multi-day fishing vessels and naval operations in the deep southwest Bay of Bengal has also been withdrawn.

The Met Department said winds are expected to be easterly to north-easterly, with speeds ranging between 30 and 40 kilometres per hour.

However, wind speeds could occasionally strengthen to between 50 and 55 kilometres per hour in sea areas off the coast from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai, via Mannar, it added.