Depression Developing in the Bay of Bengal, Meteorological Department Issues Warning of Heavy Showers

COLOMBO (News1st): The Department of Meteorology says that the low-pressure area located in the Bay of Bengal, southeast of Sri Lanka, is likely to develop into a depression.

The system is expected to move west-northwest and approach the eastern coast of the country. 

Due to this influence, an increase in rainfall is expected starting tomorrow the 8th of January, particularly in the North, North-Central, Eastern, Uva, and Central provinces. 

Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm may occur in some areas within the Uva province and the Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, and Ampara districts.

The MET Department urged that the fishing and naval communities, as well as the general public, to remain vigilant regarding forecasts and announcements issued by the Department. 

Strong Winds upto 50 km/h may occur over the eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-Central, North-Western, and Eastern provinces, and the Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo, and Monaragala districts.

Scattered Showers are expected in the Uva province and the Batticaloa, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, and Matale districts.

Meanwhile, The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Level 3 Red Notices for the Ududumbara, Nildandahinna, and Walapane Divisional Secretariat divisions, until 12:00 noon today.

The Level 1 and Level 2 landslide warnings have been issued for several Divisional Secretariat divisions in the Badulla, Kandy, Matale, Monaragala, and Nuwara Eliya districts. 

Furthermore, the water level of the Mahaweli River at Manampitiya has remained at an Alert level as of yesterday afternoon.