• Dry weather from July-Sept; heavy rains from Oct-Dec; peak impact in Nov
• Public urged to use water and electricity responsibly
• Possible job losses expected in vulnerable sectors

The El Niño phenomenon is strengthening more rapidly than anticipated and is likely to peak around November, earlier than previously forecast, Environment Minister Dr Dammika Patabendi warned yesterday (23).

Speaking during a special media briefing on the possible impact of El Niño on Sri Lanka, he said Sri Lanka could experience severe dry weather conditions during July, August and September, while heavy rainfall could occur during October, November and December.

Dr Patabendi also said steps are being taken to strengthen coordination among Government institutions along with media establishments to face the possible impacts of El Niño, noting that the phenomenon is a global climatic condition and not limited to Sri Lanka. He urged the general public to support efforts to manage the situation, warning that Sri Lanka could face a severe drought due to changing weather patterns. He requested the public to use water and electricity responsibly, adding that extreme heat and drought conditions could affect livelihoods and create challenges including possible job losses in vulnerable sectors.

Speaking at the same briefing, Director of the Water Management Secretariat, engineer Nilantha Dhanapala said the reservoirs under the Secretariat’s purview currently hold 57 per cent of their capacity. He explained that reservoirs used for electricity generation are at 54 per cent, while those designated for irrigation purposes exceed 60 per cent capacity. He described these levels as satisfactory. He further added that by strategically utilising these secured resources through an improved water management plan, further savings could be achieved. As an example, he noted that farmers would be informed of the dates to commence cultivation, enabling them to start simultaneously, and that such practices could result in an additional 30% saving of water.

Also, citing data indicating that the North East monsoon would bring less rainfall, he said that the Secretariat is planning to secure approximately 75% to 80% of the water in the reservoirs of the Kelani system, through which water is supplied to the Colombo and Gampaha areas. He confirmed that this water would sustain distribution for these regions until March of next year.