El Niño may trigger drought until September: Met. Department warns

Colombo, April 10 (Daily Mirror) - The Meteorology Department has warned that if El Niño conditions develop during the southwest monsoon, the country could face a prolonged drought lasting until September.

Additional Director General of the Department of Meteorology, Ajith Wijemanne, said temperatures are expected to intensify after June, raising fears of extended heat stress and water scarcity across the island. His remarks have triggered criticism from some quarters, with questions being raised about whether enough is being done to prepare for such a scenario.

While the country is currently in an El Niño neutral phase, officials warn that any shift could significantly reduce rainfall during the Southwest monsoon, potentially disrupting agriculture, water supply, and daily life. However, the uncertainty of the forecast has also drawn skepticism, with some questioning the accuracy and timing of such warnings.

The Meteorology Department maintains that the inter-monsoon period will end by mid-May, with the Southwest monsoon expected to bring temporary relief. Yet, officials caution that any easing of heat conditions may be short-lived if El Niño develops as feared.

The warning has intensified debate among experts and the public alike, as calls grow for stronger water management strategies and clearer government preparedness plans to address what could become a severe and prolonged climate challenge.