Cyclonic storm ‘FANI’ to intensify into a severe storm during next 12 hours

Cyclonic storm ‘FANI’ to intensify into a severe storm during next 12 hours

The cyclonic storm ‘FANI’ (pronounced as FONI) over southeast Bay of Bengal to the east of Sri Lanka was located near latitude 6.9N, Longitude 87.9E at 02.30 a.m. of 28th April 2019, about 670 km east of Potuvil. It is likely to intensify into a severe cyclonic storm during next 12 hours and further intensify into a very severe cyclonic storm in the subsequent 24 hours. The system is very likely to move northwestwards off the east coast till 30th April and thereafter recurve northeastwards gradually.  Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa, North-Western and Central provinces. Heavy falls about 100mm can be expected at some places in the Southern, Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces.Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places elsewhere after 2.00 p.m. General public, Naval and fishing communities are requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regards.