Bad weather related to La Nina

Sandasen Marasinghe and Chaminda Perera

Meteorological Department Director General P B Samarasinghe yesterday forecast that the prevailing weather will continue for another few days.

He noted that continuous rainfall in Batticaloa district was the heaviest in hundred years.

He added that in 1913 Batticaloa recorded a rainfall of 342 mms. This time so far the rainfall is 312.2 mms.

He made this observation at the Asi Disi Intellectual Forum on Natural Disaster Management at the Information Department Auditorium.

Director General Samarasinghe further added that this unfavorable weather condition is related to the La Nina phenomenon in the sea. The weather situation did not develop to a storm but remain in a particular location as a small scale storm bringing unprecedented rainfall to that area.

He added that 'the patch' still remains unchanged and predicted the heavy rainfall can be expected for another few days.

The Director General further stated that this type of weather pattern is experienced only in every 200 years but this time it occurred again in 2011 after 1913.

He added that this type of weather changes could result due to adverse human activities against the nature.

Disaster Management Ministry Additional Secretary Gamini Rajakaruna, Disaster Management Centre Director General Major General Gamini Hettiarachchi, Meteorological Department Director General P B Samarasinghe, National Building Research Institute Section Head R M S Bandara also participated.