El Niño likely to curtail monsoon rains

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May 10, 2026
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By Niranjala Ariyawansha

The Meteorology Department emphasises that there is a significant risk of the southwest monsoon, which is scheduled to begin in the last week of May, being reduced due to the El Niño condition predicted to develop during July to August.

The Southwest Monsoon is the most important monsoon for rainfall in the island, accounting for more than 30% of the annual average rainfall.

If El Niño occurs in that situation, it will have a significant impact on electricity generation, agriculture and drinking water supply, Met Department Director General Athula Karunanayake told the Sunday Times.

If an El Niño develops, the Southwest Monsoon rainfall, which accounts for 30% of the country’s annual rainfall, is expected to decrease to 20%-25% this year, the DG states.

Read more in today's Sunday Times edition here