Sri Lanka is grappling with a severe drought crisis, impacting over 90,000 individuals across multiple provinces. Water scarcity has become an urgent issue in Northern, North Western, Eastern, Uva, and Sabaragamuwa provinces, leaving around 93,000 people in distress due to drinking water shortages. The government has initiated efforts to provide relief by supplying drinking water to affected communities. The drought’s effects are felt in Jaffna, Trincomalee, Rathnapura, Kurunegala, Mannar, Badulla, and Puttalam Districts.
Beyond human populations, the drought has also taken a toll on wildlife in national parks. The Wildlife Conservation Department recognizes the gravity of the situation and has intervened to supply water for animals.
Agriculture is another sector severely hit by the prolonged drought. A significant number of paddy fields and crops are suffering. Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera expressed concern, criticizing state institutions for failing to warn farmers about the impending drought conditions and water shortages. Amaraweera specifically called out the Department of Agriculture, the Irrigation Department, the Mahaweli Authority, and the Meteorology Department for not adequately informing farmers, which could have enabled them to prepare and mitigate the drought’s impact on their crops.
The Sri Lanka Department of Meteorology predicts mainly fair weather conditions in most parts of the island. (LankaXpress.com)
