Severe Cyclonic Storm 'Arnab', which was located over the West-Central Bay of Bengal, further intensified into a 'Very Severe Cyclonic Storm' and was centred near latitude 15.9°N and longitude 85.4°E, approximately 890 km northeast of Kankesanthurai around 02:30 AM today (27), the Department of Meteorology stated in a notice.This system is likely to move west-northwestwards until 05:30 PM today, and thereafter move northwestwards, and is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast into the Indian mainland by 11:30 AM tomorrow (28).Although there is no direct impact from this system on Sri Lanka, the department mentioned that rain conditions in the southwestern part of the island are expected to continue today as the wind flow drawn towards the system passes over the island.Accordingly, showery or thundershowery conditions may occur from time to time in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and North-Western provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, while fairly heavy rainfall above 75 mm can be expected at some places in these areas.Rain or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Eastern Province after 1:00 PM.Fairly strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can blow at times over the western slopes of the Central Hills, in Northern, North-Central, and North-Western provinces, and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.Furthermore, the department requests the public to take necessary measures to minimise hazards caused by temporary strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.