The Department of Meteorology has warned that there is now a 90% chance the current El Niño conditions will intensify into a very strong event by the end of the year.
Director General of the Met Department Ajith Wijemannage said forecasts indicate this year’s El Niño could be stronger than any experienced in the past 75 years.
Addressing the media, Wijemannage noted that the phenomenon is steadily intensifying, adding: “Global forecasts show that by the end of this year, the likelihood of a very strong El Niño is more than 90 percent. Compared with El Niño events since 1950, the probability of this year’s El Niño being stronger than all of them is currently forecast at nearly 70 percent.”
Wijemannage further said that a notable increase in body temperature has been observed among people in the North, North-Central, and North-Western provinces, as well as in the Monaragala and Hambantota districts.
However, an increase in body temperature has not been noted much in the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces due to intermittent rain conditions.
Meanwhile, the Irrigation Department reported that water levels in reservoirs under its control have dropped to 37 percent, urging the public to use water sparingly.
Director of Water Management, Engineer H.N.P.S.D. Herath said the current volume is expected to be sufficient for the Yala season and until the November–December rains arrive.
At the same time, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board confirmed that water treatment plants across the island are operating at 100 percent capacity.
Water Board Chairman Chandana Bandara said supply has not been reduced despite dry conditions in several districts, though more than 56 percent of reservoirs under the Irrigation Department have shown reductions in water levels. (Newswire)