The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning that a depression over the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean has now strengthened into a deep depression. It is likely to move in a west-northwest direction over the next 36 hours. According to the IMD, this depression, which formed over the southwest and southeast Bay of Bengal and the eastern equatorial Indian Ocean, has moved at a speed of approximately 15 kilometers per hour over the past six hours in the northwest direction and has now transformed into a deep depression.
The IMD shared this information on the social media platform, X. As of 5:30 AM on January 8, 2026, it was centered in this region, recorded at a latitude of 5.4°N and a longitude of 85.3°E.
It was located about 420 km east-southeast of Pottuvil (Sri Lanka), 470 km east-southeast of Batticaloa (Sri Lanka), 470 km east-southeast of Hambantota (Sri Lanka), 570 km southeast of Trincomalee (Sri Lanka), 860 km southeast of Karakal (Puducherry), and approximately 1020 km south-southeast of Chennai (Tamil Nadu).
In the next 36 hours, it is expected to move in a west-northwest direction through the southwest Bay of Bengal and is likely to cross the coast of Sri Lanka between Hambantota and Kalmunai by the evening or night of January 9, 2026.
Heavy Rainfall in Tamil Nadu
According to Skymet Weather, the impact of this depression will be significant. Between January 9 to 11, 2026, the range and intensity of rainfall are expected to increase. The areas of Pamban, Thondi, Tuticorin (Thoothukudi), Nagercoil, Kanyakumari, and surrounding regions are at the highest risk. In addition, there may be moderate rainfall in the interior parts of Tamil Nadu and light rain in some areas of Kerala.
During this time, sea conditions are expected to be quite harsh. Continuous rainfall accompanied by strong winds is expected. It is noted that weather conditions are likely to improve after January 12.
