Rough seas and strong winds expected around island

Colombo May 25 (Daily Mirror) - Showers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle over the next 24 hours, the Department of Meteorology said.

The Department of Meteorology said showers or thundershowers may also occur at a few places elsewhere around the island during the evening or night.

Southwesterly winds will prevail at speeds of 30-40 kmph, the department said, adding that wind speeds could increase up to 50-60 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Chilaw via Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

Meanwhile, wind speeds may also increase up to 50 kmph at times in other sea areas around the island.

The department further said the sea areas off the coasts extending from Kankasanthurai to Chilaw via Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be rough at times, while other sea areas around the island will be fairly rough at times.

However, wave heights may increase up to 2.0–2.5 metres in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.

Officials warned that temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas could be expected during thundershowers.