Extremely hot weather conditions for seven districts

The Early Warning Centre for Natural Disasters of the Department of Meteorology states that extremely hot weather conditions could prevail today across seven districts of the island. Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Ampara, and Monaragala districts have been identified as areas that could be more affected by these prevailing hot conditions.

It is expected that the 'feels like' temperature in some areas of these districts will be at a 'cautionary' level during the daytime. Therefore, the Meteorological Centre further advises that it is important for the residents of these areas to exercise extreme caution and take precautionary measures when engaging in daily activities.

The Department of Meteorology has warned that severe dry weather conditions will prevail until April next year. Specifically, a strong El Niño condition is expected to develop with a probability of over eighty percent during November, December, and January. Although its maximum impact has not yet been felt in the country, there is a risk of a significant reduction in rainfall during the first quarter of the coming year. Officials point out that due to this, the El Niño condition will override the expected rainfall conditions in October.



With the prevailing dry weather, the 'feels like' temperature index has risen to a severe risk level in several areas such as the Eastern Province, Monaragala, and Polonnaruwa. Mr. Meril Mendis, Director of the Forecasting Division of the Department of Meteorology, states that a decrease in the currently active southwest monsoon rainfall across the island is expected in the coming days. He further mentioned that strong winds ranging from 30 to 40 kilometers per hour may occur intermittently in the Northern, North Central, and North Western provinces, and the dry conditions in the Northern, North Central, and Eastern provinces will continue uninterrupted until September.

According to data released by the National Disaster Relief Services Centre, by the last weekend, 68,041 individuals belonging to 21,873 families have been affected by the dry weather. The people in Batticaloa, Ampara, Monaragala, and Ratnapura districts have been most severely affected, with approximately 3,500 families facing a severe shortage of drinking water due to the drying up of tanks, canals, and wells. Steps have been taken to supply water to the public via water bowsers in coordination with local authorities, and authorities are also working to send water bowsers for the water needs of animals residing in wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.



The health sector has also issued a series of special instructions to protect against this extremely hot weather. It is recommended to drink enough water frequently without waiting until thirst is felt, limit outdoor and strenuous activities, use umbrellas and hats, and wear light-colored, loose clothing. Furthermore, it is essential to pay special attention to young children, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases, and the public has been advised to refrain from consuming beverages containing caffeine and alcohol.

At a recent conference organized by the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change, the importance of a proactive preparedness mechanism, rather than a post-disaster response, was emphasized to address this situation. During this meeting, co-chaired by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and Professor I.M. Abeywickrama, Professor Charitha Pattiarachchi of the University of Western Australia made a comprehensive presentation on climate risks and policy formulation. Additionally, Professor Sampath Seneviratne presented an interim report on the potential impacts of the El Niño condition on agriculture, biodiversity, and the rural economy.