The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has deployed rescue teams and equipment to areas at risk of severe weather as a deep depression in the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclone, officials said.

DMC Director Pradeep Kodippili said all necessary arrangements had been made to respond to possible disaster situations arising from the prevailing rainy conditions.He said the preparations followed weather forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology regarding the developing weather system in the Bay of Bengal.The depression intensified into a deep depression by 11.30 a.m. yesterday (25) and was centred near latitude 15.1° North and longitude 91.0° East, according to the Meteorology Department.

The system is expected to move southwestwards before gradually turning westwards and northwestwards. It is likely to develop into a cyclone by the morning of today (26) and intensify into a severe cyclonic storm over the west-central Bay of Bengal by the morning of tomorrow (27).Although the system is not expected to directly affect Sri Lanka, the circulation of winds associated with it could increase rainfall across the island, particularly in the southwestern areas, over the next few days.Showers or thundershowers are expected at times in the Northern, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-Western and Central provinces and in the Anuradhapura district. Some areas could receive heavy rainfall exceeding 100 millimetres.Showers or thundershowers may also occur in parts of the Uva Province and the Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1 p.m.

Strong winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour are expected at times along the western slopes of the Central Highlands, in the Northern, North-Central and North-Western provinces, and in the Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.The Meteorology Department has urged the public to take precautions against temporary strong winds and lightning associated with thunderstorms.