World · Sri Lanka Bureau
Sri Lanka braces for fresh cyclone as Arnab damage mounts
Over 21,000 people across nearly 6,000 families have been impacted by Cyclonic Storm Arnab, with authorities now issuing red-level alerts as a second system, Cyclone Murasu, intensifies over the Bay of Bengal.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The Disaster Management Centre reported that Cyclonic Storm Arnab has left at least six people dead and displaced thousands across Sri Lanka, affecting 5,800 families in multiple districts. The adverse weather system has caused widespread damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods, overwhelming emergency response services nationwide.
As recovery efforts continue, meteorological authorities have escalated warnings following the development of Cyclone Murasu over the Bay of Bengal. The system poses an immediate threat to Sri Lanka's maritime zones, prompting the issuance of red-level alerts for strong winds and hazardous sea conditions. Fishermen have been advised to remain ashore, and coastal communities are being urged to prepare for potential impact.
The successive cyclonic systems compound challenges for disaster management authorities already stretched by ongoing relief and rehabilitation operations from Arnab. Officials have pre-positioned emergency supplies and activated contingency protocols in vulnerable coastal areas. The Department of Meteorology is issuing regular updates on Murasu's trajectory and intensity as the system moves across the region.