Marine weather conditions around Sri Lanka are expected to worsen during the next 24 hours as a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal continues to intensify and move closer to the island, according to the Department of Meteorology. The low-pressure area intensified into a depression earlier today and was centered near latitude 4.9°N and longitude 87.4°E at around 11.30 a.m. on January 7, approximately 700 kilometres southeast of Pottuvil. Meteorological observations indicate that the system is moving west-northwestwards toward the eastern coast of Sri Lanka and is very likely to strengthen further into a deep depression within the next 24 hours.
In view of the expected deterioration of sea conditions, naval and fishing communities have been strongly advised not to venture into both deep and shallow sea areas extending from Kankasanthurai to Hambantota via Trincomalee and Pottuvil from January 7 until further notice. In addition, from January 8 onwards, naval and fishing activities in deep and shallow sea areas around the entire island are discouraged until further advisories are issued. Those already engaged in other sea areas are urged to remain highly vigilant and to closely monitor changing marine conditions. Seafarers are requested to pay close attention to forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology.
Showers or thundershowers are expected to occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Galle via Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee and Pottuvil. In the remaining sea areas around the island, showers or thundershowers may develop at several places, particularly during the evening or night hours. These conditions may be accompanied by sudden gusts of wind and reduced visibility in some locations.
Winds over the sea areas will be predominantly north-easterly, with average wind speeds ranging between 30 and 40 kilometres per hour. However, wind speeds are expected to strengthen significantly at times. Gusts of 60 to 70 kilometres per hour may occur in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Matara via Trincomalee, Pottuvil and Hambantota. In addition, wind speeds may increase up to around 60 kilometres per hour in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Kankasanthurai via Colombo and Puttalam.
Sea conditions are forecast to be rough to very rough at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kankasanthurai to Matara via Trincomalee, Pottuvil and Hambantota. The sea areas off the coast from Galle to Kankasanthurai via Colombo and Puttalam are also expected to be rough at times, while other sea areas around the island may experience fairly rough conditions. Wave heights may increase to about 2.5 to 3.0 metres in the sea areas extending from Kankasanthurai to Hambantota via Trincomalee and Pottuvil. This wave forecast applies only to sea areas and not to land regions.