The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal has weakened into a depression while continuing to move west-northwestwards toward Sri Lanka, according to the latest observations issued on Saturday, 10 January 2026. The system moved at a speed of approximately 12 kilometres per hour during the past six hours. At 5.30 a.m. Sri Lanka time, the centre of the depression was located over the southwest Bay of Bengal, off the northeast coast of Sri Lanka, near latitude 8.8°N and longitude 81.6°E.
At this time, the depression was situated about 50 kilometres east-northeast of Trincomalee, 120 kilometres north of Batticaloa, and 210 kilometres north of Pottuvil. It was also positioned roughly 310 kilometres southeast of Karaikal in Puducherry and 490 kilometres south-southeast of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India. Meteorological authorities warn that the system continues to influence sea conditions around the island.
Naval and fishing communities are strongly advised not to venture into the deep and shallow sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Batticaloa via Puttalam, Mannar, Kankasanthurai, and Trincomalee until further notice, due to hazardous marine conditions. However, the previous warning restricting fishing and naval activities from Colombo to Batticaloa via Galle and Hambantota has now been withdrawn, as sea conditions in those areas have shown improvement.
Mariners are urged to remain attentive to future forecasts and bulletins issued by the Department of Meteorology, as conditions may change rapidly depending on the movement and intensity of the depression.
Regarding rainfall conditions over sea areas, showers or thundershowers are expected at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankasanthurai. In addition, isolated showers or thundershowers may occur in other sea areas around the island, particularly during periods of atmospheric instability.
Wind conditions are expected to be strong, with winds predominantly northerly. Wind speeds of 35–45 kmph are forecast in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Batticaloa via Puttalam, Mannar, Kankasanthurai, and Trincomalee, with gusts increasing up to 60–70 kmph at times. In other sea areas around the island, wind speeds are expected to range between 25–35 kmph.
The state of the sea will be rough to very rough in the warned sea areas from Colombo to Batticaloa via the western and northern coasts, while moderate sea conditions are expected elsewhere. Additionally, wave heights may increase to about 2.5–3.5 metres in the sea areas off the coast from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee, noting that this warning does not apply to land areas.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas are likely during thundershowers, and all sea users are urged to exercise extreme caution.