Cyclone ‘Burevi’ hits east coast | Daily News

Cyclone ‘Burevi’ hits east coast

Damage to coastal buildings, power lines and flash floods unleashed:
At least 75,000 people evacuated:

At least 75,000 people were evacuated from homes on the east coast, where tropical cyclone Burevi, packing winds of 80 kph to 90 kph (50 mph to 56 mph) hit the island yesterday evening.

At the time of going to press, the cyclone caused damage to coastal buildings, power lines and unleashed flash floods, the Disaster Management Centre said. Those living near its path were advised to stay indoors. Those evacuated from the Trincomalee district hit the hardest, have been moved into 237 relief centres until the cyclone passes, disaster officials said.

At the time this edition of the paper went to press the cyclonic system was 140km East-southeast of Trincomalee. The Met Department warned that the system was likely to move west-northwestward and cross north-eastern coast of Sri Lanka between Trincomalee and Point-pedro close to Mullaitivu by midnight yesterday.

Meanwhile intermittent showers and thunderstorms are forecast for today in the North and North-Western province with heavy rainfall of 150mm in some places. Showers are expected in the Eastern, North-Central, Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces as well as Galle and Matara today.

By Thursday, the cyclone’s path will carry it northwest towards the Arabian Sea, he said, however. Burevi is projected to move into southern India by early on Friday, Indian weather officials have said, but is expected to cause less damage there.

The general public is requested to contact the 117 hotline number to obtain disaster related information as the country is experiencing the effects of the cyclone ‘Burevei’ as it hovers over Sri Lanka.

The Disaster Management centre mentioned that it will also provide periodic updates on the path of the cyclone as it moves over Sri Lanka.