Sri Lanka prepares for severe dry weather from February to April 2027
Sri Lanka is preparing for severe dry weather expected across the country from February to April 2027, with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reviewing plans to protect water supplies, agriculture, electricity generation and food security.
A meeting of the Special Cabinet Sub-Committee and Officials’ Committee appointed to address the impacts of the El Nino climate phenomenon was held today (August 21) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo under the patronage of President Dissanayake.
The President reviewed the challenges arising from the current El Nino conditions, the progress of measures already taken and arrangements to ensure adequate water for drinking and other domestic needs, as well as agricultural activities.
Officials from the Ministry of Agriculture said crop losses had remained relatively low during the previous Yala season due to advance preparations and timely cultivation. Measures had also been taken to meet the drinking water requirements of the public.
According to forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology, severe dry weather is expected to affect the entire country during February, March and April next year.
The President reviewed the possible impact on agriculture, plantation industries, freshwater fisheries, water supply and electricity generation, together with plans being prepared to address these challenges.
He stressed the need to ensure the uninterrupted supply of essential goods and services during the period that may be affected by dry conditions.
The President also instructed officials to prepare programmes, in coordination with disaster management authorities, to support people affected by the adverse conditions until their livelihoods and economic activities recover.
Current water levels in major reservoirs, measures to maintain drinking water supplies, arrangements to provide water for agriculture, future cultivation plans and steps to protect national food security were also reviewed.
The President called for a comprehensive database containing accurate information on the proportion of consumers supplied by major reservoirs, minor irrigation schemes and small tanks.
He also stressed the need to identify in advance the areas most vulnerable to prolonged dry conditions.
If water restrictions become necessary, officials were instructed not to wait until reservoirs are completely depleted. Instead, they should engage with affected communities and establish an orderly and systematic programme in advance.
President Dissanayake also called for areas where tanks, rivers and streams could completely dry up to be identified and the associated risks mapped in advance.
He noted that people living in such areas would require water not only for drinking but also for other essential daily needs.
The meeting also discussed the possibility of authorising Divisional Secretaries to arrange the cleaning and rehabilitation of water sources that have become unusable.
With the first rains expected in October, plans are being made to use rainwater to begin preparing agricultural land rather than waiting for water to be released from reservoirs.
The President stressed that the Irrigation Department and the Mahaweli Authority should work according to a coordinated plan in this regard.
Arrangements to ensure the availability of seed paddy and fertiliser for the upcoming Maha season were also reviewed.
The meeting discussed the possible impact of El Nino conditions on the freshwater fisheries sector and fish production, as well as measures that could be taken in advance.
The President instructed officials to prepare programmes to support affected fishing communities until their livelihoods are restored.
The possible impact on the plantation sector and measures being prepared to address the challenges were also discussed, along with steps to ensure adequate water supplies for wildlife in protected areas.
The President further stressed the need to expedite the rehabilitation of irrigation systems so that maximum water storage capacity can be secured during the rainfall expected from October onwards.
Plans were also discussed to maintain a strategically planned reserve of electricity generation capacity above normal requirements. The measure is intended to ensure an uninterrupted power supply throughout this year and address possible energy risks caused by depleted reservoirs during the February-April period next year.
Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Minister of Housing, Construction and Water Supply Dr. Susil Ranasinghe, Minister of Energy and Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka, Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary to the Ministry of Energy and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponso, Secretary to the Ministry of Environment K.R. Uduwawala, Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development K.A. Vimalenthirarajah, Director General of Irrigation Engineer K. Weligepolage, Director General of the Department of Meteorology A.L.K. Wijemannage, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda (Retired), and members of the relevant committees attended the meeting.