Fishing vessels in the Bay of Bengal advised to seek safe passage

Colombo (News 1st): The Department of Fisheries has advised fishing vessels in the Bay of Bengal to seek safe passage in view of the cyclone threat. Assistant Director in-charge of Search Operations at the Fisheries Department Pathampriya Tissera said that the said sea areas could be rough. The low-pressure area in the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal and North Andaman sea area has developed into a depression and it is now located near latitude 13.3N, longitude 88.9E. It is very likely to move west-northwards and concentrate into a deep depression during the next 12 hours. It is also very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm and move north-westwards during the subsequent 48 hours. Heavy showers/thundershowers, strong winds, and rough seas can be expected in the above sea areas. Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.