Rough Seas Expected in the Coming Days Due to the Low-Pressure Area – Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Urges Fishermen to Exercise Caution

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has advised all multi-day fishing vessels engaged in fishing activities in the deep-sea areas around the Andaman Islands to immediately leave the area and proceed towards safer sea areas, as strong winds and rough sea conditions are expected to develop in the coming days due to the low-pressure area currently forming in the region.

According to the latest weather advisory issued by the Department of Meteorology regarding the low-pressure area, the weather system has developed in the deep-sea region east of Sri Lanka, particularly in the vicinity of the Andaman Islands, Director General of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mr. Susantha Kahawatte, said.

He made these remarks at a media briefing held today (21.09.2026) at the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regarding the prevailing weather conditions.

The Director General further stated that the low-pressure area is expected to gradually intensify and move towards India, with a tendency to approach the Indian mainland. He added that it is expected to take several more days for the effects of the system to completely subside.

Accordingly, the owners and crews of multi-day fishing vessels operating in the sea areas around the Andaman Islands have already been advised to immediately leave the affected area and proceed towards the coast or other safer sea areas, he said.

Multi-day fishing vessels engaged in fishing activities in the sea areas around the Andaman Islands and the northern Bay of Bengal have also been advised to move towards Sri Lanka, in a southerly direction, in order to promptly move away from the low-pressure area.

However, it has been observed that several multi-day fishing vessels are still engaged in fishing activities in the affected area. The Director General emphasized that continuing fishing operations under such conditions could expose both the vessels and their crews to serious risks due to the strong winds and rough sea conditions that may develop in the coming days.

Meanwhile, as the effects of the low-pressure area may also be felt in other sea areas surrounding Sri Lanka, small-scale fishermen have been advised to closely monitor the prevailing sea conditions and wind speeds before engaging in fishing activities.

The Director General further stated that no decision has so far been taken to suspend fishing activities throughout the country based on the prevailing situation. The Department is continuously monitoring the situation and will issue necessary instructions regarding fishing activities from time to time, in accordance with the weather advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology.

He therefore urged all fishermen to carefully follow the weather advisories and safety instructions issued by the Department of Meteorology and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and to make decisions regarding whether to go to sea based on the prevailing sea conditions.

He also urged fishermen to wear life jackets at all times when going to sea for fishing, while engaged in fishing activities at sea, and when returning to shore.

The Director General pointed out that, in the past, loss of human lives had been reported during adverse weather conditions due to failure to follow weather advisories and safety instructions, as well as failure to wear life jackets.

In view of the prevailing situation, he emphasized that fishermen must strictly follow the relevant safety instructions in order to prevent accidents that could occur as a result of the current weather changes.

The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is continuously monitoring the weather conditions in the sea areas around the Andaman Islands. The instructions currently in force will be reviewed and revised as necessary in accordance with the latest weather advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology.

The Director General, Mr. Susantha Kahawatte, further stated that the owners of multi-day fishing vessels operating in the affected area have been contacted from shore and informed of the situation. In addition, crews aboard the vessels have been instructed through radio communication systems to immediately leave the affected area.