Sri Lanka, Nov. 1 -- The Department of Meteorology has issued a red weather alert for several sea areas due to Cyclone 'Murasu', which has developed over the Bay of Bengal.

The warning, issued at 3 p.m. today (01), is valid for the next 24 hours.

It applies to multi-day fishing vessels operating in the deep sea areas of the Bay of Bengal, as well as the deep sea areas off the coast from Mannar to Trincomalee, via Kankesanthurai.

According to the Department of Meteorology, the deep depression over the southeastern Bay of Bengal has now intensified into a cyclone named 'Murasu'.

The system was centred near 12.1 degrees north latitude and 85.3 degrees east longitude as of 11.30 a.m. today.

Cyclone 'Murasu' is moving west-northwestwards ...