The Severe Cyclonic Storm “Arnab” over the West Central Bay of Bengal intensified into a ‘Very Severe Cyclonic Storm’ and lay centered at 02.30 a.m. today (Oct. 27), over the near latitude 15.9°N and longitude 85.4°E about 890 km to the north-east of Kankesanthurai.
It is very likely to continue to move west-northwestwards till 05.30 p.m. today, and thereafter, it is very likely to move northwestwards and cross the Indian land through Andhra Pradesh coast as a very severe cyclonic storm by 11.30 a.m. tomorrow (Oct. 28), according to the Department of Meteorology.
Although this system is not expected to have a direct impact on Sri Lanka, the showery conditions over the southwestern parts of the island are expected to continue today, as the wind flow associated with the system extends across the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts and, fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in these areas.
Showers or thunder showers will occur at a few places after 1.00 p.m. in the Eastern province.
Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over the western slopes of the Central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota Districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.