Bay of Bengal depression to deepen; 100mm+ rain expected

The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located southeast of Sri Lanka, was positioned about 490 km off the coast of Pottuvil as of 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07), according to the Department of Meteorology.

The system is expected to track west–northwest towards Sri Lanka’s eastern coast within the next 24 hours and is likely to intensify into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.

As a result, cloudy skies will prevail over most parts of the country today.

The Met Department forecasts showers or thundershowers at times in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces, while several other areas may experience rain after 1.00 p.m.

Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm is expected in the Eastern and Uva provinces, with fairly heavy showers of 50–75 mm likely in other regions.

Strong winds between 50–60 km/h are also expected at times over the eastern slopes of the central hills, as well as in the Northern, North-Central, North-Western and Eastern provinces, and in the Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.

The public is advised to take necessary precautions to minimize damage from temporary strong winds and lightning associated with thundershowers.