Over 60% chance of strong El Niño; Govt. launches national preparedness drive

Colombo, July 1 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka faces a 63% probability of a strong El Niño and a 33% probability of a weak El Niño, according to the latest assessment.

The assessment was revealed at the first meeting of the Special Cabinet Subcommittee and the Officials' Committee established to coordinate the country's response to the anticipated El Niño climate phenomenon. 

The meeting was held yesterday at the Presidential Secretariat under the chairmanship of Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi.

The two committees were appointed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to formulate short, medium and long-term strategies to ensure food security, water management and energy conservation while strengthening coordination among government institutions to minimise the impact of the expected weather conditions.

Officials noted that the developing global El Niño conditions could result in below-normal rainfall and varying levels of drought across Sri Lanka. In view of this, all relevant ministries and departments have been instructed to prepare comprehensive action plans within two weeks, outlining measures to address all possible scenarios.

The meeting also decided that all official information and updates on the El Niño situation would be issued solely by the Department of Meteorology to avoid conflicting interpretations and ensure the public receives accurate information.

The Cabinet Subcommittee comprises Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation Minister K.D. Lal Kantha, Plantation and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyarathna, Ports and Civil Aviation and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka, Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, and Housing, Construction and Water Supply Minister Susil Ranasinghe.