Issued by the natural hazards early warning center
At 08.00 p.m. 15th November 2018. For the period until 02.00 p.m. 16th November 2018
For Northern and North-Central Provinces and Puttalam and Trincomalee districts and for Northern, Eastern and Gulf of Mannar sea areas
PLEASE BE AWARE:
The Severe Cyclonic storm ‘GAJA’ over the Southwest Bay of Bengal is now located approximately 170 km away from Kankasanturai to the northeast of Sri Lanka, near latitude-10.8N, Longitude-81.2E at 05.30p.m. on 15 November. It is very likely to move west-southwestwards.
The system is expected to cross South Tamil Nadu coast and the center of the system is very likely to move approximately 90km away from the northern coast of Sri Lanka during today (15) night.
FOR LAND AREA:
Under the influence of this system showery and windy condition will enhance over the Northern and North-central provinces and in the Puttalam and Trincomalee districts from today (15) night.
High winds (80 - 90) kmph, gusting up to 100kmph can be expected over the Jaffna peninsula. Very strong winds (60-70) kmph, gusting up to 80kmph can be expected over Mannar, Puttalam, Trincomalee, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Killinochchi, Mullaitivu and Vauniya districts.
Showers and thundershowers at times with very heavy falls above 150mm can be expected in the Jaffna peninsula and in the Kilinochchi district. Heavy falls above 100mm can be expected in other areas in the Northern Province.
Sea water inundation may occur in the low lying areas in the near coast from Mannar to Kankasanturai.
FOR SEA AREA:
High winds (80 - 90) kmph, gusting up to 110kmph can be expected over the sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Puttalam via Kankasanturai and Mannar will be very rough at times.
Sea areas off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Trincomalee can be rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to (60-70) kmph.
Heavy showers or thundershowers can be expected in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mullaitivu to Mannar via Kankasanturai.
DAMAGE EXPECTED:
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Damage to thatched huts/houses, roof tops may blow off and unattached metal sheets may fly.
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Damage to power and communication lines.
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Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
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Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.