A low-pressure system developing over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm by Monday (26), bringing increased rainfall to parts of Sri Lanka despite posing no direct threat to the island, the Department of Meteorology said.

According to the Department’s weather forecast issued this morning (24), the low-pressure area near the North Andaman Islands is likely to strengthen into a depression during the day.

The system is forecast to move west-northwestwards, developing into a deep depression by Sunday (25) before intensifying into a cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by Monday morning.

Although the developing weather system is not expected to directly affect Sri Lanka, the Department warned that associated wind patterns could increase rainfall across the southwestern parts of the island over the coming days.

Meanwhile, showers or thundershowers are expected at times today in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Northern and North Western provinces