The Department of Meteorology has issued an “Amber” advisory for high waves of about 2.0 to 3.0 metres in the sea areas from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota.
The department said near-shore sea areas off the coast from Beruwala to Matara via Galle may also experience surges caused by swell waves. Naval and fishing communities have been asked to remain vigilant.
Authorities stressed an important distinction: the 2 to 3 metre figure refers to wave height at sea, not the height of waves reaching the shore. Fishing and maritime communities in the affected areas, along with people living along the coast, have been urged to take precautions.
What an Amber advisory means
The Meteorological Department’s colour-coded system places Amber above the routine advisory level but below Red, which is reserved for the most dangerous conditions. Amber signals conditions capable of disrupting small-boat operations and creating hazards for anyone near the water, and is a call for vigilance and precaution rather than a prohibition on going to sea.
The advisory covers the full southern arc of the island’s coastline and continues up the east coast to Pottuvil, taking in the main fishing harbours of the Southern Province.
A second advisory the same day
The high-wave warning is the second marine advisory the department issued on Wednesday, having separately flagged strong winds and rough seas. It follows a period of unsettled marine conditions: a strong-winds advisory covering the western and Sabaragamuwa areas was issued on Tuesday.
The department has not stated how long the Amber advisory will remain in force, and neither report specified an expiry time. Ada Derana and the Daily Mirror gave identical wave heights and the same stretch of coastline.
Sea conditions around the island have been unusually warm this season, with sea surface temperatures up about 1°C amid El Niño.
