The Depression over East-central and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal has intensified into a Deep Depression, the Department of Meteorology said.

It is moved westwards and lay centered near Latitude 15.3°N and Longitude 89.7°E. The system is very likely to move nearly westwards, and intensify further into a cyclonic storm over East-central and adjoining Southeast Bay of Bengal by today (26), it stated.

Then it is very likely to move west northwestwards and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over westcentral Bay of Bengal by tomorrow (27), according to the Department of Meteorology.

Although this system is not expected to have a direct impact on Sri Lanka, an increase in rainfall is expected over the southwestern parts of the island during the next few days, as the wind flow associated with the system extends across the island.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western, Central and North-central provinces and in Trincomalee districts and, heavy rainfall above 100 mm are likely at some places in these areas, the Met. Department said.

Showers or thunder showers will occur at several places after 1.00 p.m. in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts.

Strong winds of about 40-50 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the Central hills, Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota Districts, it added.

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