The Department of Meteorology has issued an amber advisory warning of strong winds, heavy showers and rough sea conditions over the Bay of Bengal and the eastern coastal waters of Sri Lanka, effective for the next 24 hours.
A low-pressure system over the southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a depression and was located around 900 km northeast of Batticaloa as of 5:30 a.m. today (25 October), according to the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre.
The system is forecast to move west-northwest and strengthen into a deep depression by October 26, and further intensify into a cyclonic storm over the southwest and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 27. It is expected to continue tracking towards the Andhra Pradesh coast over the subsequent 48 hours.
The advisory warns naval and fishing communities not to venture into deep-sea regions bounded by latitudes 05N–15N and longitudes 80E–95E until further notice, and urges those already in these areas to move away immediately. Similar warnings have been issued for shallow sea areas extending from Kankasanthurai to Batticaloa via Trincomalee, and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
Wind speeds in the affected regions may increase up to 55–65 km/h at times, accompanied by heavy thundershowers and very rough sea conditions.
The observed and forecast track of the weather system — sourced from the India Meteorological Department — indicates a north-westward movement, with a cone of uncertainty extending towards the eastern coast of India.
The Met Department requests all fishing and naval communities operating in the warned sea areas to remain alert to updated forecasts and advisories.
