The weather in Sri Lanka has taken a severe turn, with a deep depression in the southwest Bay of Bengal, which has intensified into a cyclonic storm, expected to hit the island by November 27, 2024. The Department of Meteorology issued a Red advisory, warning of dangerous weather conditions. The storm is projected to move closer to the island’s east coast, intensifying the risk of very heavy rainfall, strong winds, and rough sea conditions across several provinces.
As of 11:30 a.m. on November 27, the depression was positioned about 110 km east of Trincomalee, moving north-northwest. This has caused cloudy skies over most of Sri Lanka, with heavy showers expected in Northern, North-Central, Eastern, North-Western, and Central provinces. The rainfall could exceed 150 mm in some areas, with others receiving over 75 mm of rain. Thunderstorms and gusty winds of up to 50 km/h are also expected, particularly in coastal and inland areas. These conditions will be exacerbated by rough seas with wind speeds of 60-70 km/h in the surrounding waters, posing a risk to sailors and fishers. Swell waves are also expected to rise to 2.5 to 3.0 meters in height, particularly around Batticaloa to Kankasanthurai.
As of now, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) reported that 230,743 people have been affected by the weather, with four fatalities and six missing persons. A particularly tragic incident involved the Ampara District, where a tractor carrying schoolchildren capsized in floodwaters. Although five children were rescued, the search for the remaining missing children is still ongoing.
In addition to the ongoing storm warnings, disruptions have been reported across multiple transportation networks. Several train services have been cancelled, including the night mail train between Colombo Fort and Badulla. Other routes, such as those along the Up-Country and Batticaloa railway lines, have been restricted, further exacerbating the mobility challenges caused by the storm.
Air travel has also been impacted, with six flights that were scheduled to land at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake diverted to Mattala Airport and Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India due to the hazardous weather conditions. The Sri Lanka Police has set up a special hotline to assist Tamil-speaking individuals in reporting weather-related emergencies and seeking assistance.
The Irrigation Department issued flood warnings for several river basins, including the Kelani, Rajanganaya, and Kala Oya basins. This comes after the Rajanganaya Reservoir began spilling at a rate of 10,000 cubic feet per second. The situation has raised concerns about potential flooding in low-lying areas downstream, particularly in Nochchiyagama, Rajanganaya, and Vanathavilluwa. Authorities have been working to monitor and mitigate risks, while the Ministry of Agriculture has directed engineers and officials from the Irrigation Department and Mahaweli Authority to stay on duty, focusing on managing reservoirs and providing assistance to vulnerable communities.
Authorities have been closely monitoring these developments and are providing emergency assistance where necessary. The public has been urged to stay vigilant and continue following official updates from the Department of Meteorology and local disaster management authorities.
