“The Bay of Bengal is turbulent…” — a line we hear almost every year. With today’s unfavorable weather conditions affecting Sri Lanka, many people are now paying close attention to the daily weather updates released by the Department of Meteorology.
According to the Department, the low-pressure system situated to the southeast of Sri Lanka is expected to gradually intensify into a depression within the next 24 hours and move north or northwest.
To clarify some of the common weather terms we hear during such conditions, we spoke with Anusha Warnasuriya, the Additional Director General of the Department of Meteorology.
Why is the Bay of Bengal turbulent?
Every year, depressions and cyclones develop over the Bay of Bengal and the surrounding oceanic region. These systems heavily influence the climate in countries like India and Bangladesh.
BBC Sinhala asked Anusha Warnasuriya why the Bay of Bengal plays such a key role in Sri Lanka’s weather patterns.
“In reality, the Bay of Bengal is significant not only for Sri Lanka but for the entire world. No single country can control its own weather or climate—everything is interconnected. The global climate system is shaped by five major components: land, ocean, atmosphere, ice, and the biosphere. So, the Bay of Bengal holds global importance.”
“As sea temperatures rise, it’s normal for Sri Lanka to experience atmospheric disturbances. The island lies between the Arabian Sea on one side and the Bay of Bengal on the other.”
“These disturbances occur due to wind patterns, which help maintain the balance of the global climate. That is why activity in the Bay of Bengal is so influential for Sri Lanka.”
“Disturbances can also form in the Arabian Sea, and depending on their path, Sri Lanka may feel some impact. However, the weather systems that bring the most rainfall to Sri Lanka usually originate from the Bay of Bengal.” – (BBC)
