Depression over SW Bay of Bengal likely to reach east coast this morning

The depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal is likely to move west- southwestward and reach the east coast of Sri Lanka this morning, the Meteorology Department said.

They said the depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal was centred about 180km east of Trincomalee last night.

As a result, a cloudy sky will prevail over most of the island, with showers and thundershowers of up to 150mm possible in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western, and Eastern provinces.

Strong winds of about 50-60 km/h could be expected at times over the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, North-Western, and Central provinces, and strong winds of about 40-50 km/h may also be expected elsewhere.

The general public are strongly advised to take adequate precautionary measures to safeguard themselves from possible damages caused by gusty winds and lightning during thundershowers.

The fishing and naval communities are still advised not to venture into fishing and naval activities in the sea areas around the island until tomorrow (2). (Chaturanga Pradeep Samarawickrama)