El Niño puts Sri Lanka on alert, but severe impact unlikely

• Temperatures are expected to remain above normal during July and August, while rainfall could be lower than usual as El Niño conditions strengthen  

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

Sri Lanka is unlikely to experience severe impacts from the developing El Niño weather phenomenon, although hotter and drier conditions are expected in the coming months, climate experts and meteorological officials said.   

According to Director of the Climate Change Secretariat, Leel Randeniya, any significant effects of El Niño are likely to emerge only after February next year.   

He noted that Sri Lanka’s location in the Indian Ocean and its central highlands help maintain moisture levels, reducing the risk of severe impacts.  However, Acting Director General of Meteorology Ajith Wijemannage warned that temperatures are expected to remain above normal during July and August, while rainfall could be lower than usual as El Niño conditions strengthen.   

The issue was discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat, where officials reviewed potential impacts on food security, water supplies, agriculture and power generation.   

Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) cautioned that a severe El Niño-driven drought could place pressure on the country’s water resources.   

Additional Secretary K.G.B. Dharmatilaka said Sri Lanka may even have to purify and distribute seawater for drinking purposes in an extreme scenario if major water sources are depleted.   

Officials said preparedness measures are already being strengthened to mitigate potential risks.