Sri Lanka may experience disturbed weather conditions such as high temperatures and droughts as a result of a mild El Nino, a Meteorology Department official warned yesterday.
Deputy Director S.R. Jayasekare told the Sunday Times the present increase in the atmospheric temperature might be a result of a mild El Nino, a climate pattern that occurs across the tropical Pacific Ocean where the ocean temperature goes up by a few degrees causing floods, droughts and other disturbances in many regions of the world.
He said high temperatures would prevail in the coming weeks though there may be some rain in a few areas. “This is the result of El Nino, global warming and other forms of climate change. We have little or no cloud cover these days and this adds to the intense heat from the sun, Mr. Jayasekera said.
He said there might be mild showers in the Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Central areas but the heat would remain as the sun would be directly over Sri Lanka early next month.
He said that even the little air in the country was dry and this was the reason why most people were complaining of heavy sweating and feeling uncomfortable.
Water Supply and Drainage Board General
Manager K.L.L. Premanath said the water consumption had increased rapidly and if this drought continued, there would be many problems, especially when salty sea waters seeped into rivers.
Ceylon Electricity Board Chairman T.M. Herath said he believed there would be no disruption in power supply as the CEB had other energy sources besides hydropower.
However, he said the electricity use had doubled because of the present weather conditions and the people should make sure there was no wastage. |
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