Prolonged dry weather and resulting severe drought is affecting more than 560 000 people in Sri Lanka, forcing authorities to start continual artificial rainmaking.
According to the Disaster Management Center, authorities have launched programmes to expedite supply of drinking water to more than 281 000 people already without drinking water as a result of salinity flowing into the Kalu Ganga.
State-run power company has imposed daily power cuts for the first time in more than two years due to low hydro-power output, officials said March 25.
In an indication of how severe the situation has become, a Power and Energy Ministry official said the government started trying to produce artificial rain with the help of Thailand’s Department of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation, Reuters reported.
The Power and Energy Ministry said March 22 the Sri Lanka Air Force used a helicopter to spray chemicals on the clouds 2.4 km (8 000 feet) above the catchment areas of the Maussakelle Reservoir, Central Province, resulting in 45 minutes of rainfall.
"Observing the success of the pilot project which commenced today, Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake has instructed relevant authorities to take necessary measures to create artificial rains in the next few days until the dry weather exists in the country," the ministry.
Featured image credit: Lanka Mag
Shallow M6.1 earthquake hits Balleny Islands region, Southern Ocean
November 25, 2020
A shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the Balleny Islands region, Southern Ocean at 22:56 UTC on November 25, 2020. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 30 km (18 miles). The epicenter was...
At least 17 fatalities after floods and landslides hit Antioquia, Colombia
November 24, 2020
At least 17 people have been killed, 12 were injured and more than 10 remain missing after several days of heavy rain caused floods and landslides in northwestern Colombia. A landslide hit the village of Cachirime in Puerto Valdivia, Antioquia in the early morning...
Rare late-season tornado confirmed in Ontario, Canada
November 23, 2020
A rare late-season EF-1 tornado with maximum winds of 135 km/h (84 mph) hit Ontario, Canada, on November 15, 2020-- the province's 41st tornado of the year. Twisters commonly occur in the region from May to September, so having one touched down recently is...
Bright fireball explodes over southern Texas
November 21, 2020
A bright fireball exploded over southern Texas, U.S. at around 02:58 UTC on November 20, 2020. The American Meteor Society (AMS) received 50 reports from Texas, U.S., and Nuevo Leon, Mexico. Fireball over southern Texas on November 3, 2020 - heatmap. Credit: AMS...
Eruption continues at Klyuchevskoy, ash rising up to 6 km (20 000 feet) a.s.l., Russia
November 16, 2020
A moderate explosive-effusive eruption continues at the Russian Klyuchevskoy volcano. The Aviation Color Code remains at Orange. The eruption at 04:56 UTC on November 16 ejected ash up to 6 km (20 000 feet) above sea level, the Tokyo VAAC reported. Emissions...
