The Department of Meteorology has issued an advisory for strong winds and rough seas for naval and fishing communities in the deep-sea areas of the southeastern Arabian Sea and the southwestern Bay of Bengal.
A low-pressure area is expected to form over the southwest Bay of Bengal around May 22, likely moving northeastwards and developing into a depression over the central Bay of Bengal around May 24.
Very strong winds, heavy rainfall, and rough seas are anticipated in the sea areas around the country, as well as in the southeastern Arabian Sea and southwestern Bay of Bengal.
Naval and fishing communities are advised to avoid the sea areas marked in red on the map below until further notice. They are also urged to stay updated with future forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology.
In a separate advisory, the department states that southwest monsoon conditions are gradually establishing over the island, with prevailing showery and windy conditions expected to continue.
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northwestern, Southern, and Northern provinces. Very heavy showers of about 150 mm are likely in some areas of the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Heavy showers above 100 mm are expected in some areas of the Northwestern province and in the Galle and Matara districts.
Showers or thundershowers will also occur in several other provinces.
Fairly strong winds of about 30-40 km/h can be expected at times across the island.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
