Five districts heat up - La Nina is easing off

Severe hot weather warnings have been issued for Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Ampara, Monaragala and Hambantota. The temperatures could rise  beyond 35.7 degrees Celsius, in these fee districts. Staying too long in the sun could damage health warned the health officials.

 

Explaining the current weather pattern, Met Dept official Shiromani Jayawardena said, “Due to the La-Nina condition, we are experiencing less heat. But with the La Nina effect easing, the temperature is expected to rise. La Nina is a weather pattern that occurs in the Pacific Ocean. In this pattern, strong winds blow warm water at the ocean’s surface from South America to Indonesia.”

 

She said the warnings were being issued based on the heat index, which takes into account the temperature felt by the human body, the humidity and the air temperature. She said the situation could change with the onset of the Southwest monsoon.

 

Meteorological Department Director General Athula Karunanayake said the current weather pattern would continue until April 14. “We advise the people to remain indoors as much as possible,” he said.