Sri Lanka issues storm warning, urges fishermen to return to shore

Sri Lanka's Meteorological Department on Thursday urged fishermen at sea to return immediately or seek safe harbor, as a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to affect the country on Friday.

The department also advised fishermen not to venture out to sea until further notice.

Several districts already hit by last year's Cyclone Ditwah could receive more than 100 mm of rain, the department said, urging relevant authorities to be prepared.

Meanwhile, the Department of Irrigation warned that water levels in rivers and reservoirs could rise rapidly if the country experiences heavy rainfall. It said forecasts indicate a risk of flooding in several districts.

Spill gates at 25 of the country's 73 major reservoirs and 24 medium-sized reservoirs in the Eastern, Northern, North Central, Central, Southern and Uva provinces have been opened as a precaution, the department said.

xinhua