Emergency water supplies to schools in drought-hit areas
Schools in the Puttalam, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Mannar Districts severely affected by the present drought, are being provided with water tanks and have water pumped frequently, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.
"Water to drought- stricken schools is supplied with the support of the National Water Supply & Drainage Board, he said, adding that NWSDB and DMC bowsers, and bowsers donated by the Presidential Secretariat and other donor organisations have been deployed to carry water to these areas, with DMC relief officers attached to these districts instructed to re- fill the tanks without delay," said DMC Media Spokesman Pradeep Kodippilli.
About 300,000 people are affected by the present drought, with the majority from Puttalam (201,530) and Kurunegala (35,089) Districts.
In the Puttalam District, Puttalam, Anamaduwa, C h i l aw, Mahakumbukkadawala, Mundal, Nawagaththegama and Karuwalagaswewa are worst affected, while in the Kurunegala District, Bingiriya, Giribawa and Nikaweratiya are the areas suffering from the drought.
In Polonnaruwa, Medirigiriya is worst affected, while schools in Mahavilachchiya and Nochchiyagama in the Anuradhapura District will receive drinking water, as they continue to suffer since last year.
Mr Kodipilli said continuous awareness programmes are being held in schools in these 5 Districts on ways to minimise water wastage.
“The State is bearing a huge cost to transport drinking water to drought hit areas, but the priority is to ensure children are provided with safe, drinking water,” he added.
"Water to drought-stricken schools is supplied with the support of the National Water Supply & Drainage Board, he said, adding that NWSDB and DMC bowsers, and bowsers donated by the Presidential Secretariat and other donor organisations have been deployed to carry water to these areas, with DMC relief officers attached to these districts instructed to re-fill the tanks without delay," said DMC Media Spokesman Pradeep Kodippilli.