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Lanka warned of dehydration risks in windless heatwave
ECONOMYNEXT –Sri Lanka’s high heat with windless conditions are expected to continue until the Southwest Monsoon begins, officials warned, asking children, pregnant mothers, and the elderly to be vigilant about dehydration symptoms.
“This will continue until the beginning of the Southwest monsoon,” Shiromani Jayawardena, Meteorologist at the Department of Meteorology, told EconomyNext.
“If we receive thunderstorms with a significant amount of rain, with the evaporation, there will be some sort of temporary relief.”
Currently, the country is in the inter-monsoon season, which is between the Northeast monsoon and the Southwest monsoon.
“Due to the lack of wind during this time, sweat is not evaporating, and the temperature we feel is somewhat higher than other times,” Jayawardena said.
“That is because of the high humidity. This will reduce when we have strong winds.”
In Sri Lanka, the mean monthly temperatures differ slightly depending on the seasonal movement of the sun, with some modified influence caused by rainfall. In the lowlands, the mean annual temperature varies between 26.5°C to 28.5°C, with an annual temperature of 27.5°C.
In the highlands, however, above-average temperature was recorded in areas such as Anuradhapura, Ratnapura, Jaffna, and Vavuniya in the past 24 hours.
According to the department’s forecast, the heat index, the temperature felt on the human body, is expected to increase up to the ‘Caution’ level at some places in the Western, North-Western, Northern, North-Central, and Eastern provinces, and Monaragala, Rathnapura, and Hambantota Districts.
Due to the extreme temperature prevailing in the country, the public is urged to take the necessary safety measures to guard against heat-related illnesses, especially school children, pregnant mothers, and elderly people.
“To avoid too much sun exposure, avoid long-standing under the sun, and to hydrate themselves properly, an adult should drink at least 2.5 litres of water.”
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
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