Red warning issued as Cyclonic Storm Arnab threatens rough seas around Sri Lanka

Daily Mirror, Sri Lanka Mirror, WhatNews, Newsfirst and Hiru News report that the Meteorology Department said Arnab had intensified into a very severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal. Sri Lanka Mirror and WhatNews place its centre at about 890 kilometres northeast of Kankesanthurai at 2:30 a.m. on October 27.

EconomyNext reports that the system had developed from a deep depression over the east-central and southeast Bay of Bengal, becoming a cyclonic storm on Monday morning. It says the storm was forecast to strengthen further and move towards the Indian coast for landfall on October 28. Lankadeepa also reports that Arnab was moving towards the Andhra Pradesh coast.

EconomyNext reports that the Meteorology Department forecast indirect effects over Sri Lanka on October 27 and the following two days, despite no major direct impact on the island being expected. It says higher rainfall was anticipated in the Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and parts of the North Western Province, with some places potentially receiving more than 100 millimetres on Monday and Tuesday. Newsfirst reports that rain was expected to continue in the island’s southwest on October 27.

Rupavahini News reports that a red warning issued at 9:30 a.m. on October 26 applied for 12 hours to sea areas between 10 and 20 degrees north and 80 and 95 degrees east. EconomyNext reports that a red warning advised naval and multi-day fishing communities to avoid those Bay of Bengal waters; winds could reach 80–100 kilometres per hour and waves 4 metres. Rupavahini News says those already at sea were advised to head to safer areas and monitor further forecasts. EconomyNext reports that vessels in affected zones were directed to move away immediately.