Authorities are stepping up disaster preparedness in the Central Province, with Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya among four districts selected for initial disaster preparedness drills as the government prepares for a shift from prevailing dry conditions to wetter weather over the next two months, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

The Special Cabinet Subcommittee and Officials’ Committee appointed to address the impact of the El Niño climate phenomenon held their fifth meeting at the Presidential Secretariat, chaired by the Minister of Environment Dr. Dhammika Patabendi.

The meeting focused on preparations for potential floods and landslides resulting from increased rainfall. Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya, all in the Central Province, have been identified as areas vulnerable to landslides, while Badulla was also included in the initial preparedness programme, the PMD noted.

Authorities have instructed that disaster preparedness drills be conducted without delay to familiarise residents with appropriate emergency procedures and strengthen community readiness.

A public awareness campaign will also be carried out through electronic and print media, while plans are being considered to establish operational centres at the Divisional Secretariat level to improve emergency coordination.

The committees also reviewed ongoing relief measures for communities affected by the prevailing El Niño conditions and discussed planned measures to address the expected change in weather.

With all districts in the Central Province particularly vulnerable to landslides, authorities are urging greater preparedness as the country moves towards a potentially wetter period, the PMD added.