Met. Dept. says Deep Depression to turn into a cyclone today more rain expected

By Yohan Perera and Chaturanga Samarawickrama

The deep depression that has developed in the Bay of Bengal is expected to convert into a cyclone by today but will have only a minimum effect on Sri Lanka, Department of Meteorology said yesterday.  The public was however asked to be vigilant on impeding extreme weather conditions   

Director General Department of Meteorology Athula Karunanayake told Daily Mirror that the deep depression which is prevailing now will turn into a cyclone but will have only a minimum effect on Sri Lanka. “Sri Lanka will not be affected as the deep depression will only turn in to a cyclone only when it moves further away from Sri Lanka,” Karunanayake told Daily Mirror.   

“The Deep Depressions is now located 170 km South East of Batticaloa and is expected to move northwards. It is moving towards India,” he added.   

However he said the rainy conditions will increase due to the deep depression. Accordingly, the North, East, North Central, and Uva provinces will experience showers of more than 200mm.  

Floods are expected in Ampara, Moneragala districts and Maha Oya areas. One person has been killed while some 77,670 people belonging to 22,532 families in Jaffna, Puttalam, Kegalle, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Ratnapura, Galle, Trincomalee, Badulla and Mullaitivu districts were affected by the inclement weather conditions according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC). The Badulla - Bandarawela Road, Badulla - Passara Road, Bibile - Lunugala Road and few other roads in Badulla and Moneragala districts have gone underwater as a result of the flood situation. Spill gates of Pollgolla, Rajanganaya, Ulhitiya, Parakarama Samudra,Mahaweli River and Deduru Oya. Heda Oya have been opened. DMC warned not to visit the affected areas.   

Steps were taken to close the wildlife tourist bungalows located in the Yala and Wasgamuwa National Parks due to the current adverse weather and flood conditions prevailing in the country, the Wildlife Conservation Department said. Accordingly, the Pahala Henathota,Thalgasmankada, and Warahana Wildlife Circuit Bungalow in Yala National Park have been closed. Meanwhile, the Mahaweli and Wavul Ebe tourist bungalows in Wasgamuwa National Park have also been closed.   Highest rainfall of 311 mm was recorded from Ampara District while Mannar, Moneragala Mullaitivu, and Batticaloa recorded a rainfall of nearly 100mm. Katugastota recorded a rainfall of 160 mm   

Meanwhile the Department of Examinations adviced Advanced Level (A/L) candidates to report to the nearest examination centres if they are unable to reach their assigned centres due to disasters caused by the heavy rains. The announcement was made by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) as part of a joint initiative between the DMC and the Department of Examinations.   Meanwhile, Examinations Department has decided to suspend the 2024 GCE Advanced Level (A/L) examinations on November 27, 28 and 29 due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions.  Examinations Commissioner General Amith Jayasundara stated that the examination papers scheduled for the suspended days will now be held on December 21, 22 and 23. Accordingly, the examinations will resume on Saturday (30) according to the given timetable.  

Two centres in the Puttalam education zone had gone underwater due to floods according to authorities.