Heavy rain advisory issued for 7 provinces as low-pressure system develops near Sri Lanka

Daily Mirror reports that the Meteorology Department warned of unsettled conditions in the coming days, linked to a low-pressure area expected to form in the southeastern Bay of Bengal and nearby east-central waters. Newswire places the system near the North Andaman Islands and says the forecast issued at 5:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 24, projected that it would become a depression that day, strengthen further by October 25, and reach cyclonic-storm status in the west-central Bay of Bengal by October 26.

Newswire says the department expected increased rain in southwestern Sri Lanka over the next few days, but did not anticipate a direct effect on the island from the system. Rupavahini News reports that a lower-atmosphere disturbance close to Sri Lanka had developed into a low-pressure area, with rain expected to increase across the island and nearby seas.

Rupavahini News reports intermittent rain or thunderstorms in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern, Northwestern and Southern provinces, as well as Anuradhapura District. It says some locations in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Northwestern provinces could receive more than 100 millimetres, while rain could occur in other areas after 1 p.m. The outlet also reports warnings of brief strong winds and lightning during thunderstorms, and early-morning mist in parts of the Central and Uva provinces.

Newswire reports forecasts of intermittent showers or thunderstorms in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Northern and Northwestern provinces, with rain possible elsewhere after 1 p.m. and locally heavy totals above 50 millimetres. Newsfirst (සිංහල) reports that thunderstorms were possible on October 23 in several provinces and in Anuradhapura and Galle districts. Sri Lanka Mirror reports that the low-pressure system was moving west, away from Sri Lanka, although its effects could continue that day.

Newswire reports that a separate red alert was issued at 4:30 p.m. on October 23 and would remain in effect for 24 hours, warning multi-day fishing vessels of strong winds and rough seas in the Bay of Bengal. It says naval and fishing communities operating between 10°N and 20°N latitude and 80°E and 95°E longitude were advised to avoid maritime activity until further notice, and vessels already in the area were urged to move to safe waters. Rupavahini News and Newswire report advice to follow official updates; both also report precautions against lightning and temporary strong winds.

Written automatically by AI from the outlets’ own reports, and not reviewed by an editor. It can be wrong — the original report is the authority.