Disaster Management Centre on alert as heavy rain threatens several areas

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has made all necessary arrangements to respond to potential disasters amid the prevailing rainy weather, the centre said. DMC Director Pradeep Kodippili said authorities were closely monitoring the forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology regarding the deep depression that has developed over the Bay of Bengal.

Accordingly, rescue teams and necessary equipment have been deployed to areas at risk, particularly in the Northern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North Western and Central provinces, as well as the Anuradhapura District.

The Department of Meteorology said the depression over the Bay of Bengal intensified into a deep depression by 11.30 a.m. today (25). The system was centred near latitude 15.1° North and longitude 91.0° East.

The weather system is expected to move southwestwards before gradually turning westwards and northwestwards, intensifying further over the coming days.

There is a high likelihood that the system will develop into a cyclonic storm by the morning of October 26 and further intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of October 27.

Although the system is not expected to directly affect Sri Lanka, an air flow drawn towards it is likely to increase rainfall across the southwestern parts of the island over the next few days.

Showers or thundershowers are expected at times in the Northern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North Western and Central provinces, as well as the Anuradhapura District. Some areas could receive heavy rainfall exceeding 100 mm.

Showers or thundershowers may also occur at several places in the Uva Province and the Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.

Meanwhile, strong winds of 40–50 kmph are expected at times over the western slopes of the Central Highlands, the Northern, North Central and North Western provinces, and the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

The Department of Meteorology and the DMC have urged the public to take necessary precautions to minimise risks from temporary strong winds and lightning that may accompany thundershowers.