General

A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal, located southeast of Sri Lanka, has developed into a deep depression as of this morning (08). Merril Mendis, the Director of the Weather Forecasting Division at the Department of Meteorology, reported that this system is currently situated around 300 km southeast of Pottuvil. It is expected to move toward the eastern coast of Sri Lanka in the next few hours. As a result of this weather system, rain is anticipated in the Northern, North Central, Eastern, Central, and Uva provinces, as well as in the Hambantota district. Some areas, particularly in the Eastern Province, may receive over 100 mm of rainfall. Additionally, strong winds between 50–60 km/h are expected throughout the island, especially in parts of the Eastern, Central, and Uva provinces, as mentioned by Mendis. Consequently, both naval and fishing communities have been advised to avoid deep and shallow waters around the island until further notice from today (08). The Department of Meteorology has also forecasted increased rainfall in river basins in the Uva, Eastern, Central, North Central, and Northern Provinces, prompting the Department of Irrigation to issue a warning. The early advisory indicates a heightened risk of flooding in river basins within the Ampara, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Vavuniya, and Jaffna districts. Residents in low-lying areas near rivers in these districts are strongly urged to remain vigilant.