Over 90% of SL’s major disasters due to meteorological phenomena

By Huzefa Aliasger

The Department of Meteorology in a press release mentioned that Sri Lanka experiences more than 90% of its major disasters due to meteorological phenomena, with dozens of incidents occurring annually as a result of torrential rainfall.

” These rainfall events are often triggered by squall thunderstorms, depressions, and cyclones that form over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea, Consequently, floods and landslides have become increasingly common throughout the year.” The department states.

The press release also mentions that recent observations and climate change projections indicate a rising trend in these hazardous events and therefore accurate monitoring and forecasting are more critical than ever. To address these challenges the department initiated installation of the new radar in Puttalam.

The Department of Meteorology says the establishment of a Doppler Weather Radar Network in Sri Lanka aims to enhance the country’s capability for real-time rainfall monitoring, thereby contributing significantly to disaster preparedness against weather-related hazards.

Initially, the project planned to install two Doppler radar systems at Puttalam and Pottuvil. However, due to the economic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis with rising costs, it was decided in 2019 to focus on constructing a single radar station in Puttalam with full facilities.

The project is being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), who invested 2,663 million JPY.

The Installation of the new radar will play a vital role in disaster preparedness, to forecast rainfall amounts more accurately within hours of an expected event. This real-time data will significantly enhance the department’s ability to identify and forecast rapidly changing weather conditions, ultimately improving disaster mitigation and response. The Department of Meteorology mentions in the press release.