El Niño fuels hotter, drier outlook for Sri Lanka and Australia

Meteorological agencies in Sri Lanka and Australia have confirmed the onset of an El Niño event that is expected to raise temperatures and cut rainfall in the coming months. In Sri Lanka, officials warned that July and August will likely see above‑average heat and reduced precipitation, prompting preparations to protect water supplies, irrigation and electricity generation. Authorities are reviewing contingency measures such as large‑scale desalination and stricter water‑conservation policies to mitigate potential drought impacts on agriculture and reservoirs.

Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology reported a strong to very strong El Niño, projecting below‑average rainfall across southern and eastern regions through the next quarter, along with hotter daytime highs and warmer evenings. The forecast has heightened fire‑season readiness and raised concerns for livestock and cropping decisions, especially as climate‑change trends amplify temperature rises. The El Niño pattern is expected to persist into late 2026.