The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that four people have died, six have been reported missing, and nine are injured due to the adverse weather caused by a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal.
Addressing a special media briefing on the current disaster situation caused by adverse weather, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre Major General Udaya Herath (Retd) said that 165 safe centres have been set up currently sheltering 15,586 people.
He said a total of 230,743 persons from 66,947 families have been severely affected across 18 districts due to the prevalent inclement weather in Sri Lanka.
The Department of Meteorology has issued a Red Alert for land and sea areas, effective until 11:00 p.m. today, as the system is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm within 12 hours.
The deep depression, located east of Trincomalee, is forecasted to move closer to Sri Lanka’s east coast before shifting towards India by November 29 and 30.
Meteorology Department Director General Athula Karunanayake said that the depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal has brought heavy rainfall of up to 150 mm in the Northern, North Central, Eastern, and Western provinces, with showers of 75-100 mm expected elsewhere.
“Tomorrow, Wayamba, Northern, and North Central provinces are likely to experience rainfall of about 100 mm, accompanied by wind speeds of 50-60 km/h. As the system intensifies into a cyclone this evening, strong winds and rough seas are anticipated,” he said.
However, Sri Lanka will only face indirect impacts, with the cyclone moving towards India’s Tamil Nadu by November 29-30, and weather conditions expected to ease thereafter.
Also addressing the media, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha said that the tri-forces personnel and other government institutions are working to provide relief to the affected people.
The public has been urged to remain vigilant and follow the instructions issued by the relevant departments pertaining to the adverse weather conditions in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)