News
Hot and humid days in the coming weeks, air quality poor
Hot and humid days are to be expected in the coming weeks while the present chilly conditions in the mornings will gradually fade away, the Meteorology Department forecasts. 
On Friday the temperature was 35 degrees in Ratnapura while throughout last week it was about 30 degrees in many districts. Ratmalana in the Colombo district recorded 33.6 degrees while the rest of Colombo recorded 32 degrees.
The Meteorology Department’s “Probabilistic Temperature Forecast for January 2020” report states there is a higher chance of receiving slightly above average maximum temperatures in Vavuniya, Anuradhapura, Batticloa, Ampara, Hambantota, Galle, Ratnapura, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Badulla, Mannar, Colombo, Gampaha, Moneragala, Kurunegala and Puttalam districts.
“Warm weather will prevail till the end of February and even continue in March. There will be occasional thunder showers and strong winds, but the temperature will be high,” Meteorology Department Director General A. K. Karunanayake said.
According to him, the north easterly winds from the Tibetan region can cause strong cold wind till the end of the north east monsoon in March.
The Meteorology Deparment also warned the people to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds.
“The rains that continued throughout last year were due to disturbances in the Bay of Bengal and changes of wave patterns. We cannot forecast whether this year we will receive continuous rains. However, the first three months of the year will be quite dry and humid,” he said. 
Morning mist is also expected to prevail in the Central and Sabaragamuwa Provinces.
Yesterday, the Meteorology Department forecast several spells of showers in the Northern, North Central, Eastern and Uva Provinces and the Hambantota District early next week. Meanwhile occasional evening thundershowers are expected in the Sabaragamuwa and Western Provinces, the Galle and Matara Districts.
Added to the hot and humid weather, the air quality in Colombo was also at an unhealthy level, the Director General said.
According to the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) last week the air quality index fluctuated between 130-150 especially during the afternoon. The United States Embassy air quality monitor also showed 133 on Friday. Experts say 101-150 in the index indicates the air is ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups.’ They include people with heart or lung disease, children and older adults.
NBRO Air Quality Studies division’s senior scientist H.D.S. Premasiri said sensitive groups should avoid being exposed to air pollutants during the day time as it posed health risks.
“This is a condition that will remain time to time till the end of the north east monsoon in March as the winds and haze are flowing and forming from India. It is a common phenomenon in South Asia,” he said.
The Health Ministry’s Consultant Community Physician Dr. Bhanuja Wijeyathilake, said the present weather condition could cause dehydration especially among children and elders.
“This is the school cricket match and sports meet season. Therefore parents and teachers should make sure the children are receiving adequate drinking water as they are more susceptible to dehydration. Apart from water, king coconut water and fresh juice are recommended, however it is important to avoid taking sugary, fizzy drinks,” he said.
The consultant said it would be ideal to wear comfortable cotton clothing and avoid being exposed to the sun, as much as possible.
