COLOMBO, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka has taken steps to establish emergency disaster response units at the divisional secretariat level within the next two weeks as authorities prepare for possible floods and landslides during the coming rainy season, Environment Minister Dammika Patabendi said on Thursday.
Patabendi said the local units would operate in coordination with district disaster management centers.
Preparedness drills will also begin within two weeks to strengthen the country's response to adverse weather, he said.
The Department of Meteorology said international forecasts indicate that the El Nino phenomenon affecting the region is intensifying and could peak within the next three months.
Meteorology Department Director General A.L.K. Wijemannage said rainfall in October and November could exceed normal levels, increasing the risk of floods and landslides.
He said authorities were closely monitoring weather conditions and related disaster risks. ■