Cyclone Murasu intensifies, Red advisory issued for northern and eastern seas
COLOMBO – Cyclone Murasu, over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining sea areas, has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm, prompting the Department of Meteorology to issue a Red advisory for fishing and naval communities.
In an advisory issued on Monday (2), the Department said the cyclone was centred about 480 kilometres northeast of Kankesanthurai at 11.30 p.m. and was expected to move northwestwards before making landfall along the southern coast of Andhra Pradesh, India, between midnight on Monday and the early hours of Tuesday (3).
The Department said the system posed no direct threat to Sri Lanka. However, its intensification was expected to bring very strong winds and rough seas to the affected maritime areas.
Small-vessel fishermen operating along the northern and eastern coastal belt, from Kalpitiya through Mannar, Kilinochchi, Jaffna and Mullaitivu to Trincomalee, have been advised not to venture out to sea until further notice.
Fishermen in other parts of the country have also been urged to exercise extreme caution, taking into account local wind conditions and sea states.
Those engaged in fishing and other sea-based livelihoods have been advised to remain vigilant and follow further warnings issued by the Department of Meteorology and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
Meanwhile, showers or thundershowers are expected in several parts of the country after 1 p.m. due to prevailing inter-monsoon conditions.
Rainfall exceeding 75 millimetres is likely in some areas of the Central, Sabaragamuwa and North Central Provinces, as well as the Trincomalee and Mullaitivu districts.
Winds of 25–35 kmph may also affect the sea areas around the island, while the prevailing inter-monsoon weather conditions are expected to continue.
-ENCL
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