The El Niño threat

The threat posed by climate change is real, and Sri Lanka is facing multiple challenges due to environmental changes. The latest is the warning from experts on El Niño weather conditions, with the World Meteorological Organisation stating that El Niño is likely to strengthen over the rest of 2026, driving more extreme weather across much of the globe.

Predictions of its impact on South Asia are far from comforting. The impact on the region would mean delayed and weakened monsoons, triggering high risks of prolonged drought, extreme heatwaves, and agricultural distress. In an area highly dependent on agriculture, the scenario looks disastrous.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake this week chaired a meeting at the Presidential Secretariat to review the potential impacts of the anticipated El Niño phenomenon on Sri Lanka and the preparedness plans of relevant institutions to address its effects.

The impact of these weather conditions in the past has led to disruptions in food supply chains, drinking water supplies, and the energy sector. The decision to take the issue seriously and implement whatever preventive measures are necessary is a positive development.

Environmental changes have already wreaked havoc in the country through Cyclone Ditwah. Landslides, flooding, etc. have been compounded by deforestation and other man-made destruction of the environment. El Niño could mean the country is once again pushed to the brink as it recovers from the destruction caused by the cyclone.

Recent inclement weather conditions also pose challenges to the country’s healthcare sector. According to the latest available data, there has been a rapid increase in dengue fever cases, with nearly 39,000 reported so far this year.

Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama was quoted in media reports as warning that the current trend indicates a strong possibility of dengue reaching epidemic proportions if urgent preventive measures are not intensified.

According to the latest data released by the National Dengue Control Unit, inspections carried out under the special dengue prevention program from 8 to 10 June found dengue mosquito larvae in 6,268 premises across the country.

The islandwide operation targeted 74 high-risk Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions in 14 districts and involved inspections of 97,871 premises.

The data revealed that factories and construction sites recorded the highest infestation rates, with dengue larvae detected in 32.9% of factories and 21.8% of construction sites inspected. Of the 89,417 houses checked during the program, mosquito larvae were found in 5,250 homes.

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) has declared a nationwide Dengue Control Week starting on 15 June. This has been an annual affair, but despite such efforts, there are still alarming numbers of cases reported every year. The inability to predict weather conditions given the changes that have occurred has made it challenging to plan preventive campaigns. Already, the dengue control campaign has come too late, with steps being taken now proving too little, too late. What may be best is to have these campaigns throughout the year so that the public also remain vigilant.

Overall, the threats posed by climate change to the country are very real and need to be taken seriously. Cosmetic campaigns to safeguard the environment will no longer suffice. There must be a more comprehensive, long-term approach to lessen the impact of climate change on the country and safeguard the environment.