Based on forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology, enhanced rainfall is expected in river basins located within the Uva, Eastern, Central, North Central, and Northern Provinces, the Department of Irrigation has warned.

According to the early advisory issued by the Department, there is an increased risk of flooding in the river basins in the Ampara, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Vavuniya and Jaffna districts.

Residents living in low-lying areas along river valleys and in close proximity to rivers within these districts have been strongly advised to exercise heightened vigilance.

Furthermore, relevant disaster management authorities have been urged to take the advisory with utmost priority and implement all necessary preparedness and mitigation measures.

Meanwhile, the depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07), the Department of Meteorology has announced.

It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of Sri Lanka during the next 24 hours.

The system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours, the Met. Department noted.

Accordingly, showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m.

Meanwhile, heavy rainfall above 100 mm has been predicted for the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly heavy falls about 50 - 75 mm are also likely at some places in other areas of the island.