The Department of Meteorology has warned that a depression in the Bay of Bengal, located around 600km north-east of Trincomalee, is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm by 17 November.

The system is expected to develop into a deep depression by tomorrow (16), followed by a cyclonic storm before further intensifying.

Naval and fishing communities have been advised to avoid deep-sea areas and coastal waters from Kankesanthurai to Hambantota via Trincomalee and Pottuvil until further notice.