COLOMBO : The low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal in the vicinity of the North Andaman Islands has now intensified into a depression. As of 11.30 p.m. on 24 October 2026, the system was centred near latitude 15.5°N and longitude 91.0°E. The system is very likely to intensify further into a deep depression while moving over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal on 25 October. Continuing to move west-northwestwards, it is very likely to intensify further into a cyclonic storm by the morning of 26 October and into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of 27 October.
Although this system is not expected to have a direct impact on Sri Lanka, an increase in rainfall is expected over the southwestern parts of the island during the next few days, as the wind flow associated with the system extends across the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western and Northern provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya and Anuradhapura districts and, heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in these areas.
Showers or thunder showers will occur at several places after 1.00 p.m. in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts.
Fairly strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the Central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee, Hambantota and Matale Districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers
