The impact of Very Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘Arnab’ on weather across Sri Lanka is expected to ease gradually from Wednesday, the Department of Meteorology said.
In its latest forecast, the Department said the cyclone was about 800 kilometres northeast of Kankesanthurai at 11.30 a.m. on Tuesday, over the west-central Bay of Bengal. The system was centred near latitude 16.2°N and longitude 83.7°E.
The cyclone is expected to cross the Indian coast through Andhra Pradesh as a very severe cyclonic storm at about 11.30 a.m. on Wednesday, according to the Department.
Several spells of showers are forecast in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara districts. Showers or thundershowers are expected at a few places in the Uva Province and in the Batticaloa and Ampara districts after 1.00 p.m.
Strong winds of about 40 to 50 kmph can be expected at times over the western slopes of the Central Hills, in the Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces, and in the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.
The Department advised the public to take adequate precautions against temporary strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Background
Cyclones that form in the Bay of Bengal usually take their main track towards the Indian or Bangladeshi coasts, but their outer bands can bring rain and gusty winds to Sri Lanka when they pass at a distance. The Department of Meteorology issues regular forecasts and warnings for such systems.
‘Very severe cyclonic storm’ is one of the higher categories in the scale used by the India Meteorological Department to classify tropical cyclones in the region, which is why the Department described the system in those terms even though it is some distance from Sri Lanka.
What it means
For most of the country the forecast points to unsettled weather rather than a direct hit. Residents in the districts and provinces named for showers and thundershowers can expect rain at times, while those in the hill country slopes and the north and north-west should be prepared for gusts.
The Department’s forecast for 28 October gives a highest maximum temperature of 33°C in Batticaloa. Anuradhapura, Colombo, Ratnapura and Trincomalee are forecast to reach 31°C. Nuwara Eliya is expected to record the lowest minimum temperature at 15°C, with a maximum of 18°C.
Motorists, outdoor workers and people in exposed areas can follow the Department’s advice on strong winds and lightning, and check its updated forecasts as the system moves away.
