Low-pressure area likely to intensify into depression during next 12 hours

A low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, located southeast of Sri Lanka, is expected to develop into a depression within the next 12 hours, according to the Department of Meteorology. This weather system is projected to move west-northwest towards Sri Lanka's east coast. As a result, increased rainfall is anticipated across the island, especially in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, and Central provinces starting tomorrow (08). Showers are also forecasted for the Uva province and the districts of Batticaloa, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Matale, and Hambantota, with some areas possibly receiving heavy rainfall exceeding 50 mm. The Northern province, along with the Anuradhapura and Trincomalee districts, will likely experience several bouts of rain. Additionally, showers or thundershowers could occur in various locations across the island after 1:00 p.m. There is a possibility of strong winds reaching up to 50 kmph at times over the eastern slopes of the central hills, as well as in the Northern, North-central, North-western, and Eastern provinces, including the districts of Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo, and Monaragala. The public is advised to take necessary precautions to reduce the risk of damage from temporary strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.