Weather conditions across Sri Lanka are expected to deteriorate during the next 36 hours as a depression over the southeast Bay of Bengal continues to strengthen and move closer to the island, according to the Department of Meteorology. The low-pressure area intensified into a depression earlier today and was centered near latitude 4.9°N and longitude 87.4°E at around 11.30 a.m. on January 7, approximately 700 kilometres southeast of Pottuvil. Meteorological authorities indicate that the system is moving west-northwestwards toward the eastern coast of Sri Lanka and is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression within the next 24 hours.
As a result of this developing weather system, showery conditions over the island are expected to intensify from tomorrow, January 8, particularly affecting the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces. Increased cloud cover, frequent showers and gusty winds are anticipated as the system approaches closer to the country, with impacts varying by region and time of day.
During tonight, showers are expected to occur at times in the Uva Province and in the Batticaloa, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Matale and Hambantota districts. Fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 50 millimetres is likely at some places in these areas. Several spells of showers are also forecast in the Northern Province and in the Anuradhapura and Trincomalee districts. Elsewhere across the island, showers or thundershowers may develop at several places, particularly during the evening and night hours. Strong winds with speeds of around 50 kilometres per hour can be expected at times over the eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-Central, North-Western and Eastern provinces, as well as in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.
Tomorrow, January 8, weather conditions are expected to intensify further. Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces. Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 millimetres is likely at some locations in the Eastern and Uva provinces and in the Polonnaruwa, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya districts. In addition, fairly heavy rainfall above 75 millimetres is expected at some places in the Northern Province and in the Anuradhapura and Kandy districts. In other parts of the island, showers or thundershowers may develop at several places after 1.00 p.m., mainly during the afternoon and evening hours.
Wind conditions are also expected to strengthen tomorrow, with gusty winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour at times, particularly over the eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-Central, North-Western and Eastern provinces, and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts. These strong winds may occur alongside thundershowers, increasing the potential for localized impacts.
The Department of Meteorology urges the general public to remain attentive to future forecasts and official advisories. People are kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize possible damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers, and to follow guidance issued by relevant authorities as the situation continues to evolve.
