The deep depression over the southwest Bay of Bengal was located to east about 120 km of Trincomalee at around 08:30 a.m. yesterday. 

It is likely to move closer to the east coast of Sri Lanka and intensify further into a cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours.

Under the influence of the system cloudy skies will prevail over most parts of the island, very heavy showers and strong gusty winds can be expected in Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western and Central provinces.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Central, western and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Kegalle districts. 

Very heavy showers above 150 mm are likely in some places.

Showers will occur at times elsewhere on the island too. Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm are likely at some places.

Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central, Central, Western, North-western, Southern and Eastern provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Director General of the Department of Meteorology Athula Karunanayake says that the depression is showing a tendency to move away from the island of Sri Lanka. 

He adds that by the 29th and 30th of November, it would gradually move towards the coasts of Tamil Nadu. 

Therefore, rainfall can be expected across the island until the 29th of November. 

However, rainfall is expected to significantly reduce.