Increased solar energy weakens Northeast monsoon rains, says Met. Department

By Yohan Perera 

Increased solar energy in the Sri Lankan atmosphere has reduced Northeast monsoon rains, a senior official from the Department of Meteorology said yesterday. 

Director General Department of Meteorology Athula Karunanayake told Daily Mirror that the winds that are emerging from the Tibetan range is usually cold while increased solar energy dry up humidity which brings rains. 

Also he said the winds which is flowing from India also brings mist. “Some areas in the country experience mist because of this reason,” he said. 

“However, there is no possibility of any dry spell of heat wave though temperature might increase around March this year,” he assured.   Meanwhile, the highest rainfall of 1.5mm was recorded from Diddenipotha in the Matara District. Other areas in the country including the hydro catchment areas were dry yesterday.