Southwest Monsoon active but weakened by El Niño conditions

Colombo, June 23 (Daily Mirror) - Sri Lanka is currently experiencing an active Southwest Monsoon with less vigour due to El Niño conditions, a senior official from the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

Acting Director General of the Department of Meteorology A. L. K. Wijemanage told Daily Mirror that Sri Lanka said lowland areas of the country are currently experiencing a bout of rain due to the Southwest Monsoon. “The Central hills and the hydro catchment areas usually experience heavy rains when the Southwest Monsoon gets active, but this time the situation is different because of the El Niño conditions,” Mr. Wijemanage said.

“Sri Lanka is experiencing a little effect of El Niño. The country will be severely affected by around August,” he said.

El Niño is one phase of the atmospheric-oceanic phenomenon known as the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which develops over the Pacific Ocean region. This condition occurs when sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean become warmer than normal, influencing and altering the usual atmospheric wind patterns. El Niño events can occur approximately every 2 to 7 years.