Met Dept to be modernized

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

The Disaster Management Ministry has taken measures to develop and modernize the Meteorological Department before 2013 under KOICA and JAICA funds with the objective gearing it up to provide accurate climatic predictions, warnings to the public, said Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera.

He was participating as chief guest at the 4th Monsoon Forum held at Janaki Hotel, Colombo yesterday.

"Weather forecasting is an essential fact for the development of the country. As an agricultural country we specially need rain forecasts for cultivation. Sri Lanka is affected by two monsoon periods and our cultivation seasons are divided into two called Yala and Maha accordingly," said the minister.

"Presently, there is a growing demand for meteorological services as Sri Lankans have experienced disasters and bad weather in recent times. Recent floods created a huge damage," he said.

The Meteorological Department has to play a very big role in the development drive of the country by forecasting correct predictions, said the minister.

Meteorologist In-Charge D.A. Jayasighearachchi said that Sri Lanka experienced two monsoons and two inter monsoon periods.

"Presently we are experiencing the second inter monsoon period and it will be over in December with the beginning of the North East Monsoon in December."

The Meteorological department is experiencing an average rainfall of 479.0 mm in North East Monsoon. Sri Lanka's annual rainfall is 1,861 mm. About 14 percent of it can be experienced in the first inter monsoon season, 30 percent during the south west monsoon, 20 percent in the second inter monsoon period and 26 percent during North East Monsoons.

The monsoon forum is jointly organized by the Sri Lanka Meteorological Department, the World Meteorological Forum, Regional Integrated Multi-hazard Early Warning System, United Nations Asia Pacific Regional Commission and Sri Lanka.

The main objective of this forum is to provide accurate predictions about weather changes of the up coming North East Monsoon. A creative framework on pre disaster planning will also be created through this forum by sharing technical information among other institutions who are being serviced by the Meteorological Department. Disaster Management Deputy Minister Dulip Wijesekara and Meteorological Department Director General G.B. Samarasinghe also participated.