Sri Lanka’s MeT Dept warns of worsening weather as depression over Bay of Bengal moves closer to island

Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology has warned of worsening weather as a depression over the Bay of Bengal moves closer to the island, raising concerns of heavy rain, strong winds and possible disruptions. Forecasters added that the depression is likely to intensify into a deep depression within the next 12 hours.

The system was located about 490 kilometres southeast of Pottuvil on the eastern coast at 11:30 p.m. yesterday and is expected to move west-northwestward toward Sri Lanka’s eastern coast within the next 24 hours, the department said. Cloudy conditions are expected across most parts of the country yesterday, with showers or thundershowers forecast at times in most parts of the island.

Heavy rainfall exceeding 100 millimetres has been predicted for the Eastern and Uva provinces. Strong winds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour may occur in several regions, including parts of the central hills and western districts. Sri Lanka is still recovering from Cyclone Ditwah, which struck the island in November 2025.