Cyclone ‘GAJA’ to move away from Sri Lanka – Met. Department

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – The severe cyclonic storm ‘GAJA’ over the Southwest Bay of Bengal further moved West-South-westwards and crossed Thamilnadu and Puducherry coast of South India during 00.30 AM and 2.30 AM on Friday (16), the Department of Meteorology said.

The system is located near latitude-10.4N, Longitude-79.7E at 2.30 AM on November 2018, approximately 75 kilometres away from Kankasanturai to the North-Northwest of Sri Lanka.

The system is very likely to move westwards and weaken gradually into a cyclonic storm during next six-hours.

The system is likely to move away from the country by today. Hence windy and showery condition in the Northern part of the island and Northern sea area is expected to reduce gradually from today evening.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times over the Northern Province and in Puttalam District. Heavy falls above 100 millimetres can be expected in the Jaffna peninsula.

Several spells of showers will occur in Anuradhapura District.

Showers may occur in the Western coastal areas.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces after 2.00 PM.

High winds (70 – 80) kilometres per hour, gusting up to 100 kilometres per hour can be expected over Northern Province, particularly over the Jaffna peninsula and strong winds (50 – 60) kilometres per hour, gusting up to 70 kilometres per hour can be expected over Puttalam and Anuradhapura Districts in the morning.

Misty conditions may occur at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces during the morning.