Weather Alert: Potential Depression to Trigger Heavy Rainfall ⛈️

• Developing System: A low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a depression within 24 hours, tracking west-northwest toward the eastern coast. • Projected Impact: Rainfall is forecast to increase island-wide starting 8 January, primarily affecting the Northern, North Central, Eastern, Uva, and Central provinces. • Heavy Rainfall Estimates: Intermittent showers are expected with heavy falls of approximately 100 mm in parts of Uva province and the Nuwara Eliya, Matale, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, and Ampara districts. • Immediate Forecast: For 7 January, rainfall exceeding 50 mm is predicted for Uva, Batticaloa, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, and Matale. Thundershowers may develop in other regions after 1:00 p.m. • Wind Speeds: Strong gusty winds up to 50 kmph are anticipated across the central hills, Northern, North Central, North Western, and Eastern provinces, as well as Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo, and Monaragala. • Economic Context: Such weather patterns typically impact agricultural output and logistics/transportation sectors in the affected regions. 🚩 _Source: Department of Meteorology (Provisional Data)_