Heavy rain forecast for drought-hit eastern areas as El Niño strengthens

Heavy rainfall is expected on Friday and Saturday in Monaragala, Ampara, Badulla, Batticaloa and several other parts of the Eastern Province that have experienced prolonged dry weather, the Department of Meteorology said.

Director General of Meteorology Ajith Wijemanna said Sri Lanka was expected to receive normal rainfall from the latter part of September.

He said a World Meteorological Organization report indicated that prevailing El Niño conditions were gradually strengthening and could reach a strong level by October and November.

Wijemanna warned that this could significantly alter Sri Lanka’s usual rainfall patterns and raise both daytime and night-time temperatures in December.

Rainfall could then decline sharply in February, March and April next year, potentially bringing another spell of severe hot weather.

The department said showers or thundershowers could occur after 2 p.m. in the Uva, Central and Eastern provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Mullaitivu, with some areas receiving more than 75 mm of rain.

Several spells of showers are also expected in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara.

The department also warned of rough seas in several coastal areas, with winds occasionally reaching 50 to 60 kmph and waves rising to around 2.0 to 2.5 metres.