Bay of Bengal Depression Set to Intensify Further Today, Warns Met Department

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Department of Meteorology says the Depression over the Bay of Bengal was lay centred at 8.30 a.m. today (25th October)

According to the department, the system is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression while moving over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal today (25th October). 

Further the system is continuing to move southwards, then gradually recurve west-northwestwards and it is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm by the morning of 26 October and into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of 27 October.

Although this system is not expected to have a direct impact on Sri Lanka, an increase in rainfall is expected over the southwestern parts of the island during the next few days, as the wind flow associated with the system extends across the island.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western and Central provinces and in Anuradhapura districts and, heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in these areas.

Showers or thunder showers will occur at several places after 1.00 p.m. in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts. 

Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the Central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota Districts.

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber Advisory for Severe Lightning. 

Accordingly, thundershowers accompanied with
severe lightning are likely to occur at
several places in Uva province and in
Ampara and Batticaloa districts.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. 

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.