Colombo: Tropical cyclone Burevi slammed into Sri Lanka's eastern coast on Wednesday night. The officials at the meteorological department said it was expected to damage coastal buildings and power lines, as well as unleash flash floods.
Sri Lankan authorities relocated during the day over 75,000 people from homes on the east coast where cyclone Burevi, packing winds of up to 90 kph was set to hit. The island’s disaster management center advised those living near its path to stay indoors. Earlier in the day the chief of the meteorology department, Athula Karunanayake, said the wind speeds could reach 80 to 90 kph. The Trincomalee district expected to be hit the hardest, have been moved into 237 relief centers until the cyclone passes, disaster officials said. But Anuradha Yahampath, governor of the eastern province which includes Trincomalee, said some people were still resisting the evacuation effort. He also told to local media that “I am appealing to people to go to these camps as soon as possible. I met some of the fishermen earlier. They are aware of the situation but they are still not ready to leave their homes.”
Karunanayake said by Thursday, the cyclone’s path will carry it northwest towards the Arabian Sea. Burevi is projected to move into southern India by early on Friday, Indian weather officials have said but is expected to cause less damage there.
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