El Niño could alter weather patterns, bringing rains to some areas and dry spells to others

Colombo, July 24 (Daily Mirror) - El Niño could lead to significant changes in weather patterns, with some areas experiencing excessive rainfall while others could face dry conditions, Meteorology Department Director General Ajith Wijemannage warned.

Addressing the media, Wijemannage said that during the peak phase of the El Niño condition, Sri Lanka could experience either higher-than-normal rainfall or drought conditions.

He said that according to the latest global forecasts, the El Niño phenomenon, which was previously in a weak phase, is gradually developing towards a moderate phase. The probability of it reaching its peak between October and December this year has increased to 81 percent.

Wijemannage cautioned that the impact of El Niño could result in extreme weather variations across the country, including heavy rainfall in certain areas and prolonged dry conditions in others.

The department had earlier predicted during a media briefing that the El Niño condition would peak between November and January next year, with a probability of 63 percent.

He said increased rainfall is expected during the last few days of this month and the first few days of next month in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, as well as Galle and Matara areas.

Meanwhile, other parts of the country may experience dry weather conditions during the following month, along with an increase in the temperature felt by the human body.

The department expects considerable rainfall towards the end of September.