Sri Lanka Faces 98% Chance of Severe El Niño Event

The probability of the current El Niño phenomenon developing into a very strong event has risen to 98%, according to the Department of Meteorology. Director General Ajith Wijeyamanna stated this trend is expected to continue over the next three months, potentially leading to the most severe El Niño recorded in the past 75 years. This forecast suggests a possibility of heavy rainfall in October and November, followed by potential severe drought in February, March, and April in some regions. The impact could affect agriculture, with sugarcane crops already reportedly damaged in areas like Monaragala.