Naval and fishing communities have been warned not to venture into several deep-sea areas around Sri Lanka following the intensification of Cyclonic Storm Murasu into a Severe Cyclonic Storm, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

The storm was located near latitude 14.1°N and longitude 81.4°E at 8.30 a.m. yesterday (Nov. 2) over the west-central and adjoining southwest Bay of Bengal.

The system is very likely to move northwestwards and cross the south Andhra Pradesh coast between midnight yesterday and the early hours of today (Nov. 3), the department said.

Accordingly, naval and fishing communities have been advised to avoid deep-sea areas bounded by 10°N–17°N and 80°E–85°E until further notice. Those already operating in these areas have been urged to move to safer locations.

A separate warning has also been issued against venturing into deep-sea areas extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankesanthurai.

The department said showers or thundershowers could occur at several places in the sea areas around the island.

South-westerly or southerly winds of 25–35 kmph are expected, while wind speeds could increase to 40–45 kmph in sea areas extending from Chilaw to Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankesanthurai.

These sea areas could be fairly rough at times, while other sea areas around the island are expected to remain moderate.

However, temporarily strong gusty winds reaching 60–70 kmph and very rough seas could occur during thundershowers.

Naval and fishing communities have been urged to remain alert to further weather forecasts and warnings issued by the Department of Meteorology.

The Federation of Global Tamils (FGT) invites Eelam Tamils in the homeland and diaspora, and individuals committed to its objectives, to become members and participate in shaping the Federation’s future.

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