A red alert has been issued for Northern Sri Lanka as Cyclone Nivar approaches.
The Department of Meteorology said that 100-150mm of rain can be expected at several places in the North on Tuesday and Wednesday while over 150mm of rain can be expected at isolated areas.
Navel and fishing communities have been warned not to venture into sea areas extending
from Puttalam to Pottuvill via Mannar, Kankasanthurai, Trincomalee and Batticaloa.
Those who are out at the aforementioned sea areas have been advised to return to coast or move to safer areas immediately.
Naval and fishing communities have been request to be vigilant during in the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo.
Meanwhile, the Indian media reported that a low-pressure belt forming over the Bay of Bengal is expected to turn into a cyclonic storm over the next couple of days bringing heavy to extremely heavy rainfall to parts of Tamil Nadu.
The cyclone has been named Nivar and is steering itself towards the northern Tamil Nadu coast. (Colombo Gazette)
