Increasing risks of climate change to weather patterns in SL

By Huzefa Aliasger

Sri Lanka continues to face the risk of climate change affecting weather patterns and unpredictable rainfall, and is an important factor in the recent events of adverse weather, an official from the Department of Meteorology said.

Meteorologist Malith Fernando told the Daily Mirror that the current North-East monsoon which will last till February 2025 is facing a ‘temporary activation period’ where rainfall patterns are changing day by day. “On January 16 and 17 the rainfall is expected to reduce, however on January 18, 19, and 20 there is an adverse weather risk”.
The meteorologist mentioned that the relevant department has been informed about the upcoming weather risk.
Reports released by the Irrigation Department indicate a risk of minor flooding in the Malwathu Oya, Sri Lanka’s second-longest river. Malith also noted that rainfall over the past two months has increased compared to the same period in the previous year, based on monthly rainfall data.

According to the global forecast, normal conditions of the weather are expected after the end of the North-East monsoon in February, the meteorologist said.