Cyclone Murasu Intensifies Over Bay of Bengal as Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Expected Across Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is expected to experience showers and thundershowers across several provinces on Monday, 02 November 2026, while Cyclone Murasu continues to intensify over the Bay of Bengal. The Department of Meteorology has issued warnings for naval and fishing communities as the cyclone is forecast to strengthen further before moving towards the eastern coast of India.
According to the latest weather forecast issued at 2.00 p.m. on 01 November, showers or thundershowers are expected at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Uva, Eastern and North-Central provinces, as well as in the Kurunegala and Mullaitivu districts after 1.00 p.m. Fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 50 mm is likely at some locations in these areas. Meanwhile, mainly fair weather conditions are expected to prevail in other parts of the island.
Misty conditions may develop during the early morning hours in some areas of the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces, as well as in the Kurunegala and Anuradhapura districts. The public is advised to take necessary precautions to minimize possible damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Cyclone Murasu Intensifies Over the Bay of Bengal
According to the Department of Meteorology, the deep depression over the Southeast Bay of Bengal intensified into a tropical cyclone named Murasu. At 11.30 a.m. on 01 November 2026, the system was located near latitude 12.1°N and longitude 85.3°E.
Cyclone Murasu is very likely to move west-northwestwards and intensify further into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal around the morning of 02 November. Thereafter, the system is expected to move northwestwards and cross the Andhra Pradesh coast of India as a severe cyclonic storm between midnight on 02 November and the early hours of 03 November 2026.
Red Alert for Naval and Fishing Communities
In view of the developing cyclone, the Department of Meteorology has warned naval and fishing communities not to venture into the deep-sea areas bounded by 10°N–15°N and 80°E–90°E until further notice. Those already operating in these areas are advised to move towards safe locations.
Fishing and naval communities are also advised to avoid deep-sea areas extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai until further notice. They should closely monitor future weather forecasts and official bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology.
Sea Conditions Around Sri Lanka
Showers or thundershowers are expected at several places in the sea areas surrounding the island during the next 24 hours. Winds will be southwesterly or southerly at speeds of 25–35 kmph, while sea conditions are expected to remain moderate.
However, temporarily strong gusty winds reaching 60–70 kmph and very rough seas can develop during thundershowers.
The public, particularly fishing and naval communities, is urged to remain alert and follow official weather updates as Cyclone Murasu continues its movement across the Bay of Bengal.
