Drought roasts 13 districts, officials feel nature's heat

Despite politicians praying for rain, the heavens are not expected to open up soon and people across the island are being told to conserve water in preparation for the worst drought in a decade.

So far, 13 districts in the island are badly affected and worse, including food shortages, are feared.

Officials managing irrigation, water and electricity as well as disasters say they are making preparations. The Department of Meteorology cites abnormal weather in trying to explain the lack of rain in the first quarter. The Deputy Director, Ms Anusha Warnasuriya, who also heads the forecasting unit, said last year’s rainfall was limited due to the lack of southwest monsoons.

Sri Lanka can expect light rains in April, she said, adding that it “will not be sufficient to provide water during the dry period''. She said January and February are known to be among the driest months.

“We alerted all relevant authorities as well as NGOs. We advised the Irrigation Department to conserve water for drinking and also advised the Power and Energy Ministry about the lack of water for the hydro power plants,” she said.

The Irrigation Department said the average water levels in reservoirs have shrunk to about 26 per cent of their total capacity.

The Director General of the Irrigation Department, S S L Weerasinghe, told TheSunday Times, that the water levels were dropping rapidly, but farmers continued to demand water.

“We advised farmers to grow crops that consume less water. Yet they continued to cultivate 7,050 acres of paddy and some 120 acres of paddy are in danger,” he said.

Weerasinghe said weather forecasters have informed them that heavy rains are not expected until October. Whatever