Low-Pressure System Over Bay of Bengal Expected to Intensify; Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Forecast

Director of the Forecasting Division of the Department of Meteorology, Meril Mendis, said that the low-pressure area that had formed over the Bay of Bengal, northeast of Sri Lanka, has developed into a depression.

He said the system could further develop into a deep depression within the next 24 hours and is expected to move towards India.

Although the system is not expected to have a direct impact on Sri Lanka, the prevailing rainy conditions in the southwestern parts of the island are expected to continue due to the wind flow being drawn towards the system.

Showers or thundershowers are expected at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North Western provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts. Rainfall is expected to increase during the night, with heavy rainfall of around 100 mm possible in some areas.

Several spells of showers are also possible in the North Central Province and Mannar District.

Showers or thundershowers are expected at several places in the Uva Province and in the Batticaloa and Ampara districts after 2 p.m.

Strong winds of around 40–50 km/h may occur at times over the western slopes of the Central Hills, the North Central and North Western provinces, and the Trincomalee, Hambantota and Matale districts.

The public is advised to take necessary precautions to minimise accidents caused by temporary strong winds and lightning that may accompany thundershowers.

Due to the influence of the depression, rainy and windy conditions over the Bay of Bengal are expected to intensify. Fishermen and mariners are advised to refrain from engaging in activities in the affected sea areas until further notice.

Those who are currently engaged in fishing activities in the affected areas are advised to leave those sea areas.

The fishing and naval communities are urged to remain vigilant and to follow further announcements and forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology.

Offshore sea areas extending from Kankesanthurai to Hambantota via Puttalam, Colombo and Galle are expected to experience showers or thundershowers at times.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in other sea areas around the island during the evening or night.

Wind speeds in the offshore sea areas from Kankesanthurai to Chilaw via Mannar, and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota, may occasionally increase to 50–60 km/h.

These sea areas are expected to be rough at times.

There is a possibility that wave heights in the offshore sea areas extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Matara could increase to approximately 2.0–3.0 metres.

During thundershowers, temporarily strong winds may occur in these sea areas, causing the seas to become very rough temporarily.