Did not issue any statement regarding acid rain: Met. Dept

The Meteorology Department today denied issuing any statement regarding an acid rain.

Duty Metorologist Shanika Dissanayake told the Daily Mirror that false statements were seen circulating on social media claiming the Meteorology Department had said that acid rains would occur over the island. 

She said investigations relating to the environmental changes is being conducted by authorities such as the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) and the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).

No one had informed the Meteorology Department about the down pour of acid rains in the country due to the burning of the ship MV-X press Pearl, she added.

Meanwhile, a senior official of the MEPA claimed that there is a possibility for the occurrence of acid rains because the fire on the ship continued for days releasing Nitrogen Oxide to the atmosphere.

Therefore, there is a possibility that these gases mixed with water particles could cause a downpour of acid rains.

The MEPA advised the public to be cautious as these rains could be harmful to health and also advised to cover vehicles and metal structures outdoor. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)