The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert regarding the deep depression in the southeastern Bay of Bengal.
This alert, which was issued at 10.30 am today (08), is valid for the next 24 hours.
Accordingly, the Meteorological Department also announces that protective measures should be taken for land areas and sea areas around the island.
The system is likely to move westwards across the southwestern Bay of Bengal and move northwestwards and enter the Sri Lankan coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 pm and 11.30 pm tomorrow (09), the alert states.
According to the red advisory, showers or thundershowers may occur at times at some places in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts of the Eastern Province, as well as very heavy rains exceeding 150 mm at some places.
Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee may experience showers or thundershowers at times and heavy rains of about 100-150 mm may occur at some places.
Meanwhile, Jaffna, Mannar, as well as the Monaragala and Badulla districts of the Uva Province and the Nuwara Eliya and Matale districts of the Central Province may experience showers or thundershowers at times or heavy rains exceeding 100 mm at some places.
Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology advises that fishing and navigation activities in the deep and shallow sea areas around the island should be avoided until further notice.
Fishing and navigation communities are advised not to venture into the sea areas between 02-03 North latitudes and 76-88 East longitudes until further notice.
The Department of Meteorology further advises that those currently engaged in fishing activities in these sea areas should immediately return to land or a safe place.