Fisheries Department issues warning to fishermen over Cyclone Arnab

Newswire reports that the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources issued a special warning on the 26th after a Bay of Bengal depression intensified into Cyclone Arnab. The department’s Director General, Susantha Kahawatta, said the warning was based on the Department of Meteorology’s latest advisory.

Newswire reports that the storm was located at 15° 04′ North and 088° 09′ East and was expected to strengthen further while moving northwest, with a greater tendency to track west. It says winds north of 10° North could reach or exceed 100 km/h.

Newswire reports that fishing vessels in affected waters were advised to keep clear of the cyclone’s centre and projected route, and that surrounding waters near Sri Lanka could become rough. Kahawatta urged fishers to stay alert and monitor further official weather advisories.

Newsfirst (සිංහල) reports that the Meteorology Department advised fishing and naval communities to refrain from sailing, until further notice, in waters between 10° and 20° North and 80° and 95° East. Ada Derana and Ada Derana (සිංහල) headlines also describe restrictions or advice to avoid fishing and naval activity in parts of the Bay of Bengal until further notice, but provide no further details in the supplied reports.