Yala: Sri Lanka will temporarily close two sections of Yala National Park as severe dry weather, high temperatures and water shortages put growing pressure on wildlife and the officers responsible for protecting the animals.
Blocks 1 and 2 of Yala National Park will be closed to visitors from September 14 to October 15, the Department of Wildlife Conservation has announced. Blocks 3, 4, 5 and 6 will remain open to visitors.
The decision is aimed at reducing pressure on wildlife during a period of severe heat and limited water. Officials say animals and wildlife officers are experiencing heat stress, while the large number of safari vehicles operating inside the park is creating additional difficulties for staff.
Manjula Amararathna, Additional Director General of Operations at the Department of Wildlife Conservation, said the high temperatures and water shortages were severely affecting animals. He also said the number of safari vehicles was making it harder for wildlife officers to carry out their duties under the difficult conditions.
Wildlife authorities have also been taking measures to maintain water supplies in affected areas. Emergency water has been provided where necessary as natural sources become increasingly limited during the dry period.
Yala is one of Sri Lanka's major wildlife parks and is home to elephants, leopards, crocodiles, deer, wild buffalo and many other species. During prolonged dry conditions, animals depend increasingly on the water sources that remain available inside the park.
The temporary closure is therefore intended to give wildlife greater access to limited water and reduce human activity in areas where animals are under the greatest pressure.
The current conditions in Yala are part of a wider dry spell affecting Sri Lanka. Communities in several parts of the country have faced water shortages, while farmers have also struggled with a lack of rainfall and declining water supplies.
The drought has raised concerns about agriculture, drinking water and the welfare of livestock and wildlife. Government authorities have been arranging emergency water supplies for communities affected by the shortage.
The situation is also developing as El Niño strengthens in the Pacific Ocean.
The World Meteorological Organization said on September 3 that El Niño is firmly established and is expected to strengthen into a very strong event in the coming months. The organisation said there is an exceptionally high likelihood of nearly 100 percent that El Niño will continue through February 2027.
El Niño can significantly change rainfall and temperature patterns in different parts of the world, increasing the risk of drought, flooding and extreme heat.
However, the strength of an El Niño event alone does not determine how severe its effects will be in a particular country or region. The World Meteorological Organization said its effects can be changed by other climate conditions, including patterns in the Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean.
Sri Lankan authorities are monitoring other areas affected by dry conditions. Officials have said they are watching areas including Mannar and the vicinity of Wilpattu National Park and could take further measures if conditions become difficult for wildlife and wildlife officers.
The closure of Blocks 1 and 2 does not mean that the entire Yala National Park is shutting down. The remaining blocks will continue to receive visitors during the temporary closure.
The October 15 date is the current scheduled end of the closure. Whether the affected areas can return to normal operations will depend on weather and environmental conditions at the time.
For now, wildlife officials are prioritising the protection of animals and the management of water supplies as dry conditions continue across parts of Sri Lanka.