The Department of Meteorology has issued a red warning for strong winds and very rough seas in the Bay of Bengal and the deep and shallow sea areas around Sri Lanka, as Cyclonic Storm “Arnab” is expected to intensify further.The warning, issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 8.00 p.m., will remain valid for the next 12 hours.According to the Department, the cyclonic storm over the east-central and adjoining west-central Bay of Bengal was located around 2.30 p.m. today near latitude 15.5°N and longitude 87.8°E, approximately 1,050 kilometres northeast of Kankesanthurai.

The system is expected to move west-northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal before developing into a very severe cyclonic storm tomorrow. It is forecast to make landfall along India’s Andhra Pradesh coast at around 11.30 a.m. on October 28.The Department warned that wind speeds in the affected sea areas could reach 80 to 100 kilometres per hour, accompanied by heavy thundershowers and wave heights of around three to four metres, resulting in very rough sea conditions.Naval and fishing communities have been strongly advised not to venture into the sea areas bounded by latitudes 10°N to 20°N and longitudes 80°E to 95°E until further notice.

Those already operating in these areas have been urged to move away from the danger zones and closely monitor weather forecasts and warnings issued by the Department.Meanwhile, deep and shallow sea areas extending from Colombo to Mullaitivu via Galle, Matara, Hambantota, Pottuvil and Batticaloa are also expected to experience very rough conditions at times, with wind speeds increasing to 60–65 kilometres per hour.Wave heights in the sea areas off the coast from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Matara could reach 2 to 2.5 metres, while other sea areas around the island may be rough at times.The Department further warned that temporarily strong gusty winds of 60–70 kilometres per hour and very rough seas could occur during thundershowers.