The Department of Meteorology has warned of very rough sea conditions around much of Sri Lanka, advising naval and fishing communities to stay out of the affected waters until further notice.
In its marine bulletin issued at 7.00 a.m. on Saturday (1) and covering the following 24 hours, the department said showers can be expected at times in the sea areas off the coast from Chilaw to Matara via Colombo and Galle. South-westerly winds will prevail at 30 to 40 kmph.
Wind speeds may rise to between 60 and 70 kmph at times in the sea areas from Kankesanthurai to Pottuvil via Mannar, Colombo, Galle and Hambantota, the department said. Those waters will become very rough at times, and the department instructed naval and fishing communities not to venture into them.
In the sea areas from Trincomalee to Kankesanthurai via Mullaittivu, winds may increase to 50 to 60 kmph and conditions are expected to be rough at times. Those operating in that stretch have been told to remain alert and take precautions.
Wave heights may build to around 2.5 to 3.0 metres in the sea areas from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.
Warnings already in force
The bulletin is the marine counterpart to the Amber advisory for heavy rain issued the same morning, which forecasts rainfall above 100 mm in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces until 6.00 a.m. on Sunday.
Acting on the forecast, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources barred small and one-day boats from the coast between Jaffna and Beruwala, extending restrictions already imposed on Wednesday from Kankesanthurai to Kalpitiya and Hambantota to Pottuvil.
The risk was not theoretical. Later on Saturday morning three fishing boats came to grief off Negombo, leaving one fisherman dead and others missing, and prompting a joint Navy and Air Force search.
Marine bulletins of this kind are the primary safety instrument for Sri Lanka’s coastal fishing fleet, much of which is made up of small craft with little margin in a 3-metre swell.
