Drastic drop in Maha harvest in drought-hit Moneragala District
Authorities concede that only 35% of the harvest targeted for the 2016/2017 Maha season has been achieved in the Moneragala District, due to the prevailing drought. Many tanks in the District have already run dry, while some 23,000 farmer families have been severely affected by crop failure. Adding to their woes is the shortage of drinking water in the region.
The water levels in most of the main rivers and waterways in the District have fallen by as much as 60%. While authorities had planned to cultivate 38,003 hectares of paddy during the 2016/17 Maha season, only 20,936 hectares have been cultivated due to the drought.
This year’s expected paddy harvest is 87,933 metric tonnes. However, given the dry spell, the harvest may fall to as low as 41,854 metric tonnes.
Other crops including corn, chilli, big onions, red onions, green gram and fruits have all been badly hit as well, and may not even provide half the expected harvest, according to District officials.
Moneragala District Secretary Sriyani Padmakulasuriya informed the District Coordinating Committee Meeting on January 13 that, just 31% of the paddy cultivation target has been achieved this season. "Even then, a successful harvest cannot be expected from more than half of the cultivated lands," she conceded. "Meanwhile, 80 Grama Niladhari areas, of a total of 319 in the District, are severely hit by shortages in potable water, which continues to increase by the day," she added.
In view of this situation, authorities are taking steps to distribute drinking water through the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, with the assistance of Pradeshiya Sabhas.