Deep Depression to Cross Northern Sri Lanka Coast; Heavy Rain and Strong Winds Expected
Weather conditions across Sri Lanka are expected to remain severely unsettled as a deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal continues its northwestward movement toward the island. According to the latest meteorological analysis, the system moved nearly northwestwards at a speed of 10 kmph during the past six hours and was centered at 5.30 a.m on 9 January 2026 near latitude 7.1°N and longitude 83.3°E.
At this time, the deep depression was located approximately 160 km east of Pottuvil, 190 km east-southeast of Batticaloa, 260 km east-northeast of Hambantota, and 280 km southeast of Trincomalee. The system was also positioned around 570 km southeast of Karaikal (Puducherry) and 740 km south-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu). Forecasts indicate that the system is very likely to continue moving northwestwards and is expected to cross the northern Sri Lanka coast between Trincomalee and Jaffna between 11:30 AM and 5:30 PM on 10 January 2026.
The estimated central pressure of the system is about 1004 hPa, with maximum sustained wind speeds of around 30 knots. Sea conditions associated with the deep depression remain very rough, with significant wave heights of approximately 4.0 to 6.0 metres, posing serious hazards to marine activities. Ship observations at 5:30 AM reported strong winds and fluctuating sea-level pressures, further confirming the intensity of the system.
Satellite imagery from INSAT-3DS classifies the system at an intensity of T2.0. The deep depression is accompanied by scattered to broken low- and medium-level cloud bands, with embedded intense to very intense convective activity over the southern Bay of Bengal, adjoining equatorial Indian Ocean, and Sri Lanka. Moderate to intense convection is also observed over the Palk Strait, Gulf of Mannar, and the Comorin region, with minimum cloud-top temperatures reaching –90°C, indicating strong atmospheric instability.
Over land, cloudy skies are expected over most parts of the island. Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Uva, Central, and North-Western provinces, while evening or nighttime showers may develop elsewhere. Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm is likely at some locations in the Northern and North-Central provinces, as well as in Matale, Trincomalee, and Puttalam districts. Fairly heavy rainfall of 50–75 mm may occur in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Batticaloa districts.
Additionally, very strong winds of 50–60 kmph, with gusts reaching up to 70 kmph, are expected over the eastern slopes of the central hills, Northern, North-Central, North-Western, Central, Uva, and Eastern provinces, including Gampaha and Colombo districts. The general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers and to remain attentive to future weather updates.
