May 29, Colombo: The depression in the east central Bay of Bengal that has brought misery to Sri Lanka has intensified in to a Cyclonic storm 'MORA' but is further moving away from the island, the Meteorology Department said.

However, under its influence cloudy skies, windy and showery conditions are expected over the country, the Meteorology Department said in its forecast.

Tropical storm Mora is forecast to strike Bangladesh as a severe cyclonic storm at about 00:00 GMT on 30 May, according to the US Navy and Air Force Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

Strong winds about 80 kmph can be expected over Sri Lanka, especially over the western slope of the central hills and surrounding sea areas.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western and Central provinces. Heavy falls above 100 mm can be expected at some places, particularly in the Western slope of the central hills.

The sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and sea area off the coast extending from Galle to Batticaloa via Hambantota can be very rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 70-80 kmph at times, Meteorology Department warns.

The other sea areas around the island can be rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 60-70 kmph at times.

The Department urges the Naval and fishing communities to be vigilant.