The hot and dry weather affecting several parts of Sri Lanka could persist for about another month, according to the Department of Meteorology.
Director General of Meteorology Ajith Wijemanna said hot and rainless conditions were currently prevailing in the Northern, North Central and Eastern Provinces, as well as areas including Monaragala, Ratnapura and Embilipitiya.
He said the prevailing conditions were also being influenced by El Niño.
Temperatures remain high during both the daytime and at night, while sea surface temperatures around the island have also risen above normal levels, Wijemanna said.
However, rainfall is expected across several parts of the country by around the final week of September.
He said above-normal rainfall was also expected across much of the country during October and November.
Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology expects an increase in rainfall over the Western and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and the Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts during the next two to three days.
Showers are expected at times in these areas, while rain could also extend to parts of the North Western Province.
Wijemanna added that showers or thundershowers could occur at a few places in the Batticaloa, Ampara and Monaragala districts during the evening.
