El Nino to trigger unpredictable rainfall later this year, steps taken for food security

• July, August and September would be dry months for Sri Lanka, but the north-east monsoon starting after would be heavier than normal

By Kelum Bandara   

With the development of El Niño conditions altering weather patterns in Sri Lanka, the government is planning for advancing the Maha cultivation season in a bid to avert any impact on food security, a Minister said yesterday. Environment Minister Dr. Dammika Patabendi told Daily Mirror the Cabinet appointed committee met recently and discussed ways and means to brace for the situation.   
According to the latest forecasts, he said that July, August and September would be dry months for Sri Lanka, but the north-east monsoon starting after would be heavier than normal. 

“We want to advance the Maha season for rice cultivation this time to avert any impact on food security. Currently, there is no issue for drinking water supply and hydropower generation,” he said.   
He said that a dry spell would prevail in January, February and March next year as a weather phenomenon due to El Nino.   
El Niño conditions have developed in the tropical Pacific and are forecast to strengthen rapidly over the coming months, increasing the likelihood of heatwaves, droughts, heavy rainfall and other extreme weather events in many parts of the world, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).   
The 2026 El Niño is rapidly intensifying into a potentially record-breaking “super El Niño,” bringing severe heat waves, erratic monsoons, and droughts to South Asia. Early south-west monsoon conditions are bringing localised heavy rains, but experts warn of a shift to drier conditions with reduced rainfall.