The Cyclonic Storm “FENGAL” over the Southwest Bay of Bengal entered India by crossing north to Tamil Nadu -Puducherry coasts last night, as a cyclonic storm.
It is likely to move west-southwestwards slowly and weaken gradually into a deep depression during the next few hours.
According to the MET department, the influence of Cyclone Fengal on Sri Lanka’s weather is gradually reducing further.
However, skies will be cloudy and showers or thundershowers will occur in the Northern Province. Several spells of showers will occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and North-central provinces and Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places elsewhere on the island in the evening or night.
Strong winds of 50-55 kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central, Northwestern, Western, Central and Southern provinces. The public is requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai. The sea areas extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai will be rough to very rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be fairly rough at times. Swell waves about 2.5–3.0 m in height may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Galle.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers. Winds will be North-westerly to South-westerly in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed will be 40-50 kmph in the sea areas around the island. Wind speed can increase up to 60-70 kmph at times in the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai.
Situation summary
The death toll due to the inclement weather experienced across Sri Lanka has increased to 17, as of 06.00 am today.
According to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC), 11 of the deaths are reported from Ampara, and one each from Badulla, Puttalam, Trincomalee, Vavuniya, and Jaffna.
No persons are reported missing, while 20 are reported to have sustained injuries in various disaster incidents.
A total of 469,910 persons from 139,603 families are severely affected across 24 districts.
The DMC said 23,537 persons from 7,394 families were placed in 202 safety shelters, while 116,034 persons from 45,368 families were placed in the houses of relatives.
Emergency hotlines
The DMC urges those who require assistance due to adverse weather conditions to contact its emergency hotline 117 or other hotlines 011- 2136 222 / 011-2670 002.
People can contact the 24-hour Police operation centre via the hotlines 011-2027148, 011-2472757, 011-2430912, 011-2013051, or 107 (Tamil-speaking) or via the email disaster.ops@police.gov.lk
