The Department of Meteorology has issued a ‘Red’ warning for strong winds and rough seas affecting the naval and fishing communities in the deep and shallow sea areas of the southwest Bay of Bengal.
The advisory comes in response to the intensification of the Deep Depression over the Southwest Bay of Bengal, evolving into a Cyclonic storm as of 05:30 a.m. on Sunday (Dec. 03). The storm is currently positioned near latitude 11.4°N and longitude 82.5°E, approximately 325 km northeast of Jaffna.
This Cyclonic storm has been officially named “MICHAUNG” (pronounced as “MIGJAUM”).
According to the Meteorological Department, the system is anticipated to track northwestward along the North coast of Sri Lanka, heading towards the North Tamil Nadu coast of India. Subsequently, it is projected to continue moving northwards, with an expected landfall along the South Andhra Pradesh coasts around December 05, 2023.
In light of this forecast, the naval and fishing communities are strongly advised to exercise caution and refrain from venturing into the designated sea areas over the next 48 hours. The ‘Red’ warning emphasizes the potential hazards posed by strong winds and rough seas, urging residents and seafarers to prioritize safety during this period.
