Depression forms in Bay of Bengal, may strengthen into severe cyclonic storm

The Department of Meteorology says a low-pressure area east of Sri Lanka in the Bay of Bengal has strengthened into a depression. As of 5:30 a.m. today, the system was about 600 km northeast of Trincomalee and is expected to move north-westwards, staying well away from the island's east coast.

The department forecasts that the system will deepen into a deep depression by tomorrow morning, become a cyclonic storm by tomorrow night over the southern and adjacent west-central Bay of Bengal, and reach severe cyclonic storm strength by November 17.

Naval and fishing communities have been warned not to venture into deep-sea areas or coastal waters from Kankasanthurai to Hambantota via Trincomalee and Pottuvil until further notice. They have been advised to move to safe areas and follow future bulletins issued by the department.