Cyclone Amphan warning issued in India and Sri Lanka

Colombo, May 16 (newsin.asia): A 42-year old man died as he was swept away by flood waters in Wattarama, and a 65 year old lady went missing as rains lashed Waldenia, both in Sabaragmuwa province in Sri Lanka on Friday, reports said on Saturday.

The Sri Lankan meteorology department has issued a report saying that the low pressure area over south east Bay of Bengal and neighborhood is likely to developed into a depression over the same region and further intensify into a cyclonic storm over south Bay of Bengal on Saturday.

The cyclone Amphan is likely to hit many other countries in the Indian Ocean region says CNN.

The Sri Lankan Meteorological Department said that the low pressure area is very likely to move northwestwards. Due to the influence of the system the prevailing showery condition over the island particularly in the south-western part is likely to continue further. Very heavy showers above 150mm are likely at some places. Wind speed can be increase up to (40-50) kmph at times over the island. Fishermen have been advised not to go to sea.

Showers or thundershowers will occur in Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces with isolated heavy showers exceeding 150mm. Landslides are possible. Showers or thundershowers will occur elsewhere particularly in Uva and Eastern provinces in the evening or night.

Electricity supply to 45,000 consumers in Gale,Kalutara, Kegalle and Hambantota were suspended on the night of Friday due to heavy rain and thunder. Water levels in Kalu, Kelanii, Gin rivers and the Athanagalu Oya are rising. People on their bank have been asked to be vigilant.

The public are requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity during thundershowers

Meanwhile India today reports that a cyclone that’s likely to form in the southern Bay of Bengal by May 16 evening will bring rain to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Odisha and West Bengal, the IMD said.

On Thursday, the weather office dispatched an alert on the brewing storm, Cyclone Amphan, to the National Disaster Response Force and the chief secretaries of eight states and Union Territories.

Heavy rain is expected in some parts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands today and tomorrow, in parts of coastal Odisha on Tuesday, and in a few places in West Bengal on Wednesday, the alert said.

Flooded Colombo. Photo: Gayan Sameera/Xinhua

“Fishermen are advised not to venture into the south and central Bay of Bengal (BoB) from 15th May 2020,” the IMD said. “Those who are out at sea over these regions are advised to return to coasts by tomorrow.”

“Also, fishermen are advised not to venture into the west-central BoB off the north Andhra Pradesh coast on the 18th and into the north BoB along and off the Odisha-West Bengal coasts from 18th May 2020 onwards. Those who are out at sea over these regions are advised to return to coasts by 17th May,” it said.

CNN reports: A storm brewing in the Bay of Bengal is likely to be a significant one for India and Bangladesh next week.

Riding in flooded Colombo. Photo: Gayan Sameera/Xinhua

When this storm forms, it will be the first of the year for the Northern Indian Ocean and receive the name Amphan.

Weather models have been forecasting tropical cyclone development in the Bay of Bengal for several days.

This area has been steadily strengthening and becoming more organized,” CNN meteorologist Jennifer Gray said. “This could be a powerful storm before it impacts India or Bangladesh next week.”

It’s too early to be specific with the impacts, timing and landfall location. Still, the storm is expected to track generally to the north and be felt in areas of northeast India and Bangladesh by midweek.

The sea surface temperatures in the region are very warm, providing ample fuel for Amphan to become the equivalent of a major hurricane. Forecast models have consistently shown the storm becoming quite strong.

This comes at a time of many firsts throughout the tropics. The first typhoon of the year rapidly developed and slammed into the Philippines Thursday night. Meanwhile, the first tropical storm of the year in the Atlantic appears poised to develop near the Bahamas this weekend.

May is not an unusual time to get tropical cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean.

This region of the world has two distinct tropical cyclone seasons – April to June and October to November. This marks the months immediately before and after the southwest Indian monsoon season. During the monsoon season upper level winds are not favorable for tropical cyclone development.

(Photos by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua)