Sri Lanka is on alert for potential La Niña conditions, which could result in below-average rainfall from October 2024, posing a risk to the 2025 Maha rice crop, according to weather forecasters. While El Niño typically brings strong inter-monsoon rains and boosts rice harvests, the cooling effects of La Niña in the Southern Pacific Ocean could lead to reduced rainfall, affecting agricultural productivity. Last year’s El Niño brought heavy inter-monsoonal rains, filling reservoirs and enhancing hydro power generation, but the upcoming season could see a reversal of these favorable conditions.
