Impact of an Unprecedented Cold Spell on Northern Sri Lankan Cattle Farms: A Tale of Devastation

In December 2022, Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka experienced an unprecedented temperature drop to approximately 17C, caused by a cold front, smog, and pollution from India. This event devastated livestock farming, a primary income source for rural communities. The case study highlights the experience of Subramaniyam Kanahendran in the Vavuniya District, who lost 11 cattle, including a stud bull and several milking and pregnant cows, resulting in financial losses nearly 20 times his family's average monthly income. The document attributes the high mortality rate to the animals' poor nutritional status and inability to cope with temperature fluctuations, and it recommends improved nutritional management, weather-resilient infrastructure, and compensation mechanisms to build future resilience.

• In December 2022, Sri Lanka experienced an unprecedented temperature drop to approximately 17C, particularly severe in the Northern and Eastern regions, attributed to a cold front, smog, and polluted air from India.
• The cold spell caused significant livestock losses for rural farmers; for example, farmer Subramaniyam Kanahendran lost 11 cattle, including three milking cows, three pregnant cows, one stud bull, one young cow, and three calves.
• The financial impact on the affected farmer was severe, with direct losses from cattle deaths amounting to nearly 20 times the family's average monthly income, further compounded by the need to sell underweight animals below market value.
• The high mortality of livestock during the cold spell is linked to poor nutritional status and inadequate management, which left animals unable to handle temperature fluctuations outside their usual ranges.

APA

Lankapura, A. (2023). Impact of an Unprecedented Cold Spell on Northern Sri Lankan Cattle Farms: A Tale of Devastation. Global Resilience Partnership. https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/impact-of-an-unprecedented-cold-spell-on-northern-sri-lankan-cattle-farms-a-tale-of-devastation/

Chicago

Lankapura, Amila. Impact of an Unprecedented Cold Spell on Northern Sri Lankan Cattle Farms: A Tale of Devastation. Global Resilience Partnership, 2023. https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/impact-of-an-unprecedented-cold-spell-on-northern-sri-lankan-cattle-farms-a-tale-of-devastation/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lankapura |first1=Amila |title=Impact of an Unprecedented Cold Spell on Northern Sri Lankan Cattle Farms: A Tale of Devastation |publisher=Global Resilience Partnership |date=1 August 2023 |url=https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/impact-of-an-unprecedented-cold-spell-on-northern-sri-lankan-cattle-farms-a-tale-of-devastation/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lankapura2023impact, author = {Lankapura, Amila}, title = {{Impact of an Unprecedented Cold Spell on Northern Sri Lankan Cattle Farms: A Tale of Devastation}}, institution = {Global Resilience Partnership}, year = {2023}, month = aug, url = {https://www.globalresiliencepartnership.org/impact-of-an-unprecedented-cold-spell-on-northern-sri-lankan-cattle-farms-a-tale-of-devastation/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }