Sri Lanka, Sept. 8 -- The ongoing El Nino conditions could increase the risk of wild elephants roaming into human settlements in search of food and water, Director General of Wildlife Ranjan Marasinghe has warned.

Marasinghe said the prevailing weather conditions were having an impact on wildlife and could increase the likelihood of wild elephants moving closer to human settlements.

He urged the public to remain vigilant, particularly when travelling at night, and to exercise greater caution in areas affected by human-elephant conflict.

The Director General also said the effects of El Nino were being felt in marine ecosystems, with the situation raising concerns over the condition of coral reefs.

He said a programme had already been ...