Colombo (LNW): The cyclonic storm “MICHAUNG” over Southwest Bay of Bengal was located near latitude 13.2°N and longitude 81.2°E, at 0530hrs of 04, December and about 395 km northeast of Jaffna, and is expected to intensify further and move northwestward away from Sri Lanka towards Tamil Nadu coast of India. Thereafter, it may move northwards and cross South Andhra Pradesh coasts around December 5, 2023.
The above warning was issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology, addressing the naval and fisherman communities in the deep and shallow sea areas in the southwest Bay of Bengal.
Naval and fishing communities are urged not to venture into the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankasanturai and in to the marked areas for the next 24 hours.
Those who are out at aforementioned sea regions are advised to return to coasts or be moved to safer areas immediately.
Fishing and naval community are also requested to be attentive to future forecasts issued by the Dept in this regard, the statement added.
Meanwhile, prevailing showery condition over the South-western parts of the island is likely to continue further due to the indirect effect of the cyclone, the Centre noted in a separate advisory notice.
Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely to occur at some places in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Northern and North-Western provinces.
