Nov 25, Colombo: The Meteorological Department says that the severe Tropical Cyclone Nivar will make landfall on the Tamil Nadu coast while strong winds could develop in the Northern and Eastern seas over the next 24 hours.

According to the Meteorological Department forecast, the Severe Cyclonic Storm NIVAR over southwest Bay of Bengal is located 213 km to the north-east of Kankasanthurai coast at 08.30hrs Wednesday (25) and is very likely to intensify into a very Severe Cyclonic Storm during next 06 hours and expected to move closer to the Northern coast of Sri Lanka and cross Tamil-Nadu coast, India during mid night of Wednesday (25).

The sea areas extending from Puttalam to Batticaloa via Mannar, Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee will be very rough or high at times. Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture these sea areas. The sea areas extending from Puttalam to Hambanthota via Colombo will be fairly rough at times.

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.

Meanwhile, a vessel that set sail from the Trincomalee Thrikadawur fishery harbor this morning despite government warnings has met with an accident.

It is reported that a 45 year old fisherman residing in the Hardaswatta area in Trincomalee has died. Four fishermen on board the vessel had gone to sea and the vessel had capsized due to rough seas. The other three fishermen who sustained minor injuries have been admitted to the Trincomalee General Hospital.