by Chaminda Silva
At least 21,356 people from 5,800 families have been affected by adverse weather and Cyclonic Storm ‘Arnab’ across Sri Lanka, as a new Cyclone, named ‘Murasu,’ intensifies over the Bay of Bengal, prompting a red-level warning for strong winds and rough seas.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said six people had died, eight were injured and three remained missing in weather-related incidents, between October 23 and November 01.
The adverse weather has affected 137 Divisional Secretariat Divisions, in 19 districts, while eight houses have been completely destroyed and another 737 partially damaged.
Ratnapura remains the worst affected district, with 10,051 people, from 2,666 families, affected across 15 Divisional Secretariat Divisions. Puttalam follows, with 6,900 people, from 1,850 families, affected across 11 divisions.
Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology yesterday issued a red-level warning for strong winds and rough seas, following the intensification of the deep depression over the Southeast Bay of Bengal into Cyclone ‘Murasu’.
The warning, issued at 3 p.m. yesterday by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, will remain valid for 24 hours.
The Cyclone was located near latitude 12.1°N and longitude 85.3°E at 11.30 a.m., yesterday, and was moving west-northwestwards.
The Meteorology Department said ‘Murasu’ was very likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the West-central Bay of Bengal today (02).
The system is thereafter expected to move northwestwards, and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast of India, as a severe cyclonic storm, between midnight on November 02 and the early hours of November 03.
The Department warned that winds in the affected sea areas could reach 70–80 kmph, accompanied by heavy thundershowers and very rough seas.
Naval and fishing communities have been strongly advised not to venture into deep-sea areas bounded by 10°N–15°N and 80°E–90°E until further notice.
Those already operating in the affected areas have been urged to move to safer locations.
The warning also covers deep-sea areas, extending from Mannar to Trincomalee, via Kankesanthurai, where fishing and naval communities have been advised to remain vigilant and closely monitor weather forecasts and further advisories.The Department urged all those operating at sea to follow official warnings as the Cyclone continues to intensify.
