Bay of Bengal system to become cyclone by Monday; no direct impact on Sri Lanka

Saturday, 24 October 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A low-pressure system in the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Monday, but will not directly affect Sri Lanka, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

The system, which formed near the North Andaman Islands, is forecast to become a depression today and move west-northwestwards, strengthening into a deep depression tomorrow and a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday morning. Wind patterns linked to the system are expected to increase rainfall over the southwestern parts of the island over the next few days. The earlier low-pressure area near Sri Lanka is moving westwards, away from the island.

Showers or thundershowers are forecast today in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern and North-western Provinces and in the Galle and Matara Districts, with fairly heavy falls above 75 mm in some areas. The public has been advised to take precautions against temporary strong winds and lightning. Misty conditions are expected in parts of the Central and Uva Provinces in the early morning.