Drought causes water levels to recede

The water level of the Victoria Reservoir has receded to a very lower level due to the prevailing drought condition, with the present volume of water reducing to 42% of the active capacity of the reservoir.

This situation has caused extreme difficulties to water consumers fed by the reservoir and they also face the risk of drinking-water shortage, if the drought prevails.

Further damage has been caused due to frequent incidents of burning forests during the dry season.

Water levels in the Lewella, Tennekumbura and Haragama areas of the Mahaweli River has dropped to very low levels.