# Heavy Rain and Rough Sea Warnings Issued as Bay of Bengal System Strengthens

- Link: https://www.weather.lk/heavy-rain-and-rough-sea-warnings-issued-as-bay-of-bengal-system-strengthens/
- Published: 2026-09-21T11:31:37+05:30
- Author: Weather LK

Sri Lanka’s weather authorities have issued **heavy rain and strong wind warnings**
as a developing weather system over the Bay of Bengal continues to move west-northwestwards
and strengthen.

The **Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre** issued an amber-level heavy rain advisory
at **7.00 a.m. on 21 September 2026**, valid until 7.00 a.m. on 22 September. The
advisory covers the **Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces**, along
with **Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts**.

Showers or thundershowers are expected at times across these areas. The advisory
warns that **heavy rainfall of around 100 mm or more** is possible at some locations.

Recent rainfall observations show that several areas have already recorded significant
rainfall. **Maliboda in Kegalle recorded 104 mm**, the highest figure listed in 
the latest report. Kalupahana in Kegalle received 95.5 mm, while Maskeliya in Nuwara-
Eliya recorded 85.5 mm. Polpitigama in Kurunegala received 85.0 mm, and Dammulla
in Ratnapura recorded 82.5 mm.

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### Strong Winds and Rough Seas

A separate **red-level warning for strong winds and rough seas** has also been issued
for multi-day boats operating in the deep sea areas of the Bay of Bengal. The warning
was issued at **10.00 a.m. on 21 September** and is valid for the next 24 hours.

The low-pressure system over the east-central Bay of Bengal is expected to move 
west-northwestwards and gradually intensify into a **depression over the east-central
Bay of Bengal on 21 September**, followed by a **deep depression over the west-central
Bay of Bengal on 22 September**.

The system is then expected to continue moving towards the west-northwest and could
reach the **west-central and adjoining northwest Bay of Bengal near the north Andhra
Pradesh–south Odisha coasts around 23 September**.

Winds in sea areas under the advisory category could reach **55–65 km/h at times**,
making the seas rough to very rough. In areas under the warning category, winds 
may increase to around **70 km/h**, accompanied by heavy showers and rough to very
rough sea conditions.

Naval and fishing communities have been advised **not to venture into the affected
sea areas between 5°N and 22°N latitude and 85°E and 100°E longitude until further
notice**. Those already operating in these waters have been urged to move away from
the affected areas and closely follow weather bulletins issued by the Department
of Meteorology.

**Residents in areas affected by the heavy rain advisory and fishing and naval communities
in the Bay of Bengal are advised to remain alert as weather conditions develop.**