A low pressure area has formed in the Bay of Bengal, currently located about 700 kilometres southeast of Batticaloa, the Meteorological Department said.
Director of the Forecasting Division, Merrill Mendis, said the system is likely to develop into a depression within the next few hours and is expected to reach the eastern coast of Sri Lanka by tomorrow (January 8).
He added that the approaching system will bring increased rainfall and strong winds across the island. Occasional showers are expected, particularly in the Northern, North Central, Eastern, Uva, and Central provinces. The public has been urged to closely monitor updates and forecasts issued by the Meteorological Department over the coming days.
Meanwhile, Mendis advised the public to avoid fishing and naval activities in sea areas from Kankesanthurai to Trincomalee and from Batticaloa to Hambantota, effective today until further notice, to ensure safety amid rough sea conditions.
