Met Dept revises forecast, says weather system will remain a deep depression
Likely to make landfall between Pottuvil and Trincomalee Friday evening
COLOMBO – A deep depression over the Bay of Bengal, located about 170 kilometres east of Batticaloa, is likely to move north-westwards and make landfall along Sri Lanka’s eastern coast between Pottuvil and Trincomalee on the evening of Friday (9), the Department of Meteorology said in its latest forecast.
The Met Department revised an earlier assessment that the system could intensify into a cyclone, saying the weather system is now expected to remain a deep depression and may weaken further after crossing land.
“At 6.00 a.m. on January 9, the deep depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka was located about 170 kilometres east of Batticaloa and is very likely to move north-westwards towards the coast of Sri Lanka between Pottuvil and Trincomalee this evening,” the Department said.
As a result, showery and windy conditions are expected to intensify across much of the island, particularly in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva and Central Provinces, it said.
An advisory issued by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) at 2.30 a.m. noted that while there is general agreement among forecast models on the system’s north-westward movement across the southwest Bay of Bengal over the next two days, uncertainty remains regarding its intensity.
“Most models are underestimating the current intensity of the system,” the advisory said, adding that the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) model suggests a slight northward shift in the landfall point, possibly between Batticaloa and Hambantota, during the afternoon hours of January 9, with the system weakening into a depression.
The advisory also noted that other models, including the Global Forecast System(GFS) and North American Mesoscale (NCUM), have not captured the system’s intensity accurately, and that the current forecast is based on a consensus drawn from ECMWF guidance and observed persistence.
The Department of Meteorology has urged coastal hutment dwellers to move inland to safer locations, while advising residents in affected areas to remain indoors.
People living in hilly and landslide-prone areas, as well as low-lying regions in river basins, have been asked to remain vigilant. Motorists using roads in hilly areas are also urged to exercise caution.
The public has been warned to beware of fallen trees and power lines, avoid using wired telephones and electrical appliances during thunderstorms, and stay alert to further advisories. In the event of emergencies, residents are advised to contact local disaster management authorities.
Naval and fishing communities have been strictly warned not to venture into deep or shallow sea areas around the island until further notice.
The Met Department said sea areas bounded by 03°N–13°N and 76°E–86°E are particularly dangerous, and vessels currently operating in these regions have been advised to return to shore or move to safer waters immediately.
Authorities have urged the public and maritime communities to closely follow future updates issued by the Department of Meteorology as the situation develops
-ENCL
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.