Department of Meteorology
Sri Lanka

The AWCI Session prior to the AOGEO
Symposium 2021 Online , on 26 February 2021

We face risk

Climate of Sri Lanka and Extreme Weather Events
Changing risks

Athula Karunanayake
Director General
Department of Meteorology

OBJECTIVESTo Provide weather services to the general public , the agricultural andenergy sectors fisheries, shipping and other interested parties.
To Provide weather Services to national and International aviation inaccordance with the technical Regulation Stipulated by WMO and ICAO .
To Provide Climatological , Agro meteorological and limited
astronomical, magnetic and time Services
To encourage study and research in Meteorology, Climatology. Climatechange and allied subjects
To receive Tsunami information and issue warnings to the general public.

Responsibility of theDepartment

Collecting
Data(Global&Nationally)

Data
Qualitycontrol,
Analysis &Archiving

MetServices

Early Warning of Extreme Weather Events-2020


Successfully Prediction and Early warning of Super Cyclonic Storm “Amphan” (Bay of Bengal (13 –21 May,2020)extreme weather conditions with strong winds, lightning and very heavy rainfall
exceeding 150mm over southwestern parts of Sri Lanka on 15th , 18th and 19th)

 Severe cyclonic storm “Nivar” (Nov 22-27) South west Bay of Bengal)

Move closer to Northern coast of Sri Lanka-Strong winds and heavy rainfall over Northern
province from 24-26 Nov)

 Cyclonic Storm “Burevi” (Nov 28-Dec 05) Crossed
Northeast coast of Sri Lanka on 02nd evening)strong winds, storm surge and very heavy rainfall exceeding 200mm overNorthen part ) Extreme weather conditions during Southwest/Northeast Monsoon
seasonsDepartment of Meteorology Responsiblefor Cyclone- warning
Observed Track
From 30 November to 05 December

Cloud Animationfrom 30 November 0000UTC to 04 December 2100UTC,2020

Seasonal forecasting/drought monitoring activities
 Provided more reliable weather and climate information(Seasonal, Monthly,weekly rainfall and temperature outlooks with historical climate impacts,drought monitoring) on monthly basis to stakeholders ( particularly for
agriculture, Water, Irrigation, Power, Disaster management etc) to manage
their anticipatory decision-making and to reduce the risks
 Started Monthly online briefing for Agriculture water and Irrigation sectors
 Conducted two Monsoon(SW and NE Monsoons) forums for stakeholder agencies via online
in 2020
 Actively participated two South Asian Climate Outlook forums (SASCOF) via online
 Conducted research activities regarding La Nina/El Nino/WRF/climate change impacts/case studies on Heavy rainfall

Department of Meteorology- Action plan
2021-2025
Foreign Funds & Grant
 Start to Implementation of Modernization Project of the DOM(CRIP project with the assistance of the World Bank)
Signed date: April 04, 2019
(Around US$ 35 million) Start to Implementation of Doppler Radar Project(JICA)( Grant Aid Project by Japanese Government)

Government of Japan: Two Billion Five Hundred and Three Million Japanese Yen (JPY 2,503,000,000)
Government of Sri Lanka: 486,650,000 Rupee
Signed date: June 30, 2017

Future Development through the Department
Modernization project

New WeatherForecasting
Building

Improve Observation andCommunication system

Capacity Building

Improve forecasting
capabilities/Numerical
Weather Prediction

Overview of DoM Meteorological Network Integration

Weather Information and Forecast Production System
Software Tool for Visualizing and Editing Meteorological Data

Smart Met Workstation includes following
features:Time series editing

Data modifying with brush toolTime-shifting and SmoothingControl point editingCombination of data from different sources

Scripting featurePossibility to create your ownparameters and fields

mobile weather application, data producedwith SmartMet and warning information with 
SmartAlert

HarmonizationTrajectoriesSounding visualization



Vertical cross sections

Observation and forecast table view

Create isolines from the observation data

Gaps and Challenges

Provide more USER oriented services to support economy of the country
Fishery/Navel industry
Aviation sector

Climate Smart agriculture

Transport sector

Southern
Expressway remains
closed as extremeweather conditions
continue„vision of prosperityand splendor‟
the Department ofMeteorology
intends to develop
Meteorology andClimatology in SriLanka

Tourism sector

Power sector

Water/Irrigation sectors

Two Doppler Radars
Grant Aid

Lightning Detection
SystemGrant Aid –China Civil
Aviation Authority

Expect to commission from 2023

Thank you