Storm Alert: Sri Lanka Braces for Heavy Rainfall from Bay of Bengal System

Storm Forecast: What’s Heading Sri Lanka’s Way

Authorities have issued a fresh warning that a storm system developing over the Bay of Bengal is forecast to move towards Sri Lanka. The Department of Meteorology indicates that rainfall of approximately 75 mm could fall — primarily affecting the Northern, Eastern, and North-Central provinces. Daily Mirror+1

While 75 mm may not seem catastrophic in isolation, experts caution that for regions already battered by recent deluges, even this level of rain could trigger floods, worsen water-logging, or aggravate landslide risk. Daily Mirror+1

In response, the Mahaweli Development Authority, the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), and the Irrigation Department have been alerted for impact assessment and contingency planning — especially regarding reservoir water levels and flood-prone zones. Daily Mirror+1

Why This Matters: Still-Recovering from Cyclone Aftermath

Only days ago, Sri Lanka suffered one of the worst storm disasters in recent memory as Cyclone Ditwah (Nov 28 – early December 2025) wreaked havoc: widespread flooding, landslides, mass displacement — affecting over 1.4 million people across all 25 districts. World Health Organization+2Wikipedia+2

In many provinces — especially the central highlands and flood-prone plains — soils remain saturated, water levels in reservoirs remain critical, and many communities remain displaced or shelter-dependent. Sri Lanka Brief+2World Health Organization+2

Given this fragile situation, even “moderate” rainfall could destabilize hillsides, trigger further floods or landslides, and undermine fragile infrastructure still undergoing early recovery.

What the Forecast and Authorities Recommend

The Department of Meteorology warns that reservoir and tank-management authorities should proactively release excess water to prevent overflow, especially given reservoir levels already near spill — but only under safe conditions. Daily Mirror+1
People in low-lying, flood-prone or slope-sensitive areas are strongly encouraged to stay alert for official advisories and avoid unnecessary movement.
Authorities are coordinating with NBRO and other agencies to monitor vulnerable hillslope zones and ground stability — especially where recent landslides erupted. Colombo Gazette+1
With the rainy season active and monsoonal moisture expected to linger, intermittent heavy rain and showers may continue beyond this storm — particularly in Central, Western, Uva, Sabaragamuwa provinces. Sri Lanka Brief+1

What Residents Should Prepare For

Risk Area	What Can Happen
Reservoir overflow & flooding	Sudden rise in water levels — especially near rivers, tanks — worsening flood-affected zones from the recent cyclone.
Landslides / slope instability	Recently saturated hill country soils may fail, especially with renewed rain.
Water-logging & drainage stress	Urban and rural drainage systems — already burdened — may get overwhelmed, raising flood risk in low-lying areas.
Disrupted relief / recovery efforts	Ongoing rehabilitation and aid work may slow or be derailed due to renewed rain or unsafe conditions.

Residents are urged to avoid unnecessary travel, monitor official updates, secure valuables, and — where possible — relocate from high-risk zones until the alert is cleared.

Context: What Led Here

Cyclone Ditwah — a weak but catastrophic storm — struck the island’s eastern coast late November 2025 before moving inland, triggering flooding, landslides, and infrastructure collapse nationwide. Colombo Gazette+2Wikipedia+2
Even after the cyclone dissipated, the soil saturation, raised reservoir levels, and unstable slopes remain a grave concern. Daily Mirror+2Sri Lanka Brief+2
The current storm forecast comes at a truly vulnerable time — increasing risk for secondary disasters if heavy rain comes now.

Looking Ahead: What to Watch

We recommend staying alert for:

Official updates from the Meteorology Department, especially regarding rainfall forecasts, reservoir data, and landslide warnings.
Regional water-management alerts, especially from the Irrigation Department and Mahaweli Authority — which may trigger mandatory water releases or evacuation advisories.
Community-level advisories — evacuations, shelter plans, and local early-warning signals — particularly in hill country and flood-prone zones.
Weather developments — even if the current storm dissipates, the monsoon remains active, and intermittent showers or atmospheric disturbances are likely through December. Sri Lanka Brief+1

Conclusion

Given the fragile aftereffects of Cyclone Ditwah — saturated soils, unstable slopes, swollen reservoirs, widespread displacement — the newly approaching storm system from the Bay of Bengal should be taken very seriously. Even what might seem like moderate rainfall has the potential to ignite new floods, landslides, and humanitarian distress. We urge all residents and authorities to stay vigilant, prioritize safety, and coordinate water-management proactively.

Further reading on storm & cyclone impact in SL