The Severe Cyclonic Storm “NIVAR” over southwest Bay of Bengal is located near (10.2N, 82.0E) at 0230hrs today (25), 220km to the east of Kankasanthurai coast.

It is very likely to intensify into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm and expected to move closer to the Northern coast of Sri Lanka and cross Tamil-Nadu coast, India during the next 24hours.

WARNINGS:

For Sea Area: Under the influence of the aforementioned system, the possibility for intermittent showers or thundershowers and sudden roughness, associated with a sudden increase of wind speed up to (80-100)kmph is high over Eastern and Northern, deep and shallow sea areas during next 24 hours.

Wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times over sea area extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo.

There is a possibility that nearshore sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Batticaloa via Kankesanthurai and Trincomalee may experience surges due to the effect of swell waves, having (2.0-3.0) m height during the next few days.

For Land Area: Very strong gusty winds (60-80)kmph can be expected in Eastern, Northern and NorthCentral. Strong gusty winds (40-50)kmph elsewhere.