By Sarah Hannan

An advisory on strong winds and rough seas has been issued by the Department of Meteorology for areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee through Kankesanturai, Mannar, Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota across Pottuvil, mentioning that with wind speeds would reach up to 60-65 kmph, thereby causing rough seas in the respective areas. The Department of Meteorology requested the naval and fisheries communities to pay close attention to sudden changes in wind direction. Over the land area, showers are forecast at times in the Sabaragamuwa, Western, and Central Provinces and in the Galle and Matara Districts. Fairly heavy rainfall above 50 mm is likely at some places in the Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces. Several spells of showers are forecast in the North Western Province as well. Wind speed can increase up to 50-60 kmph at times over the island particularly in the Northern, North Central, and North Western Provinces and in the Hambantota, Trincomalee, and Matale Districts and along the western slopes of the central hills. Coastal inundation can occur along the coast extending from Beruwala to Hambantota via Galle due to the effect of swell waves. People living in coastal areas are requested to be vigilant in this regard.