CURRENTS
The ocean currents within the area of this chart are subject to great changes in the course of each year being driven, directly or indirectly, by the seasonal reversals of the monsoonal system of winds. Other factors, including tropical revolving storms, are also at times important influences, and currents, which may be strong, sometimes run contrary to the winds along some stretches of the east coasts of India and Sri Lanka. Current strengths are variable but rates of 4-5 knots may be experienced in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, where abrupt changes from one strong current to another can occur within short intervals of time or distance. Rates of 2-3 knots may be experienced in the open sea south of 10°N and near the east coast of India. For further information see Sailing Directions and Admiralty Current Atlases.