Fanoos spares Jaffna

The Meteorology Department said yesterday that the cyclone 'Fanoos' was centred about 70km Northeast of Jaffna at 9.00 a.m. and was unlikely to hit the North - East coastal belt.

Speaking to Sunday Observer, Deputy Director of Met Department S.H.Kariyawasam said "based on previous motions of the cyclone we could say that it would not hit the coastal belt. But Northern part of the island would experience strong winds and heavy intermittent showers".

However, he said, timely warnings had been given to people living in coastal areas and fishers were told not to go fishing and engage in any naval activities.

The sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Mullaitivu through Jaffna will experience very rough conditions according to the Met Department. The coastal belt extending from Jaffna to Kalpitiya may be inundated by sea waves generated by strong winds, it said.

Meanwhile, Additional District Secretary, Mannar Nicholas Pillai confirmed that there were no reports of cyclone experience or damages caused by strong winds so far. There has been a continuous drizzle in Mannar, he said.

An NGO official based in Jaffna said that there was heavy rain in the peninsula on Friday night but no sign of a serious threat. He also said that people, especially the fishers, had been alerted of the possible danger.

Tamilnet website reported that strong 50-60 kmph wind has caused damages to roofs and houses in the low lying areas had been flooded. Some families in Vadamarachchi North and East have sought shelter at schools and community centres.