July 12, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Irrigation has appealed to farmers and other water users across the country to exercise greater caution in their water consumption, warning that the anticipated onset of El Niño conditions could place additional pressure on Sri Lanka’s water resources in the coming months.
Director of Water Management H.M.P.S.D. Herath said the nation’s 80 major reservoirs are currently holding around 48 per cent of their combined storage capacity, underscoring the need for careful management of available supplies, particularly as drier weather patterns are expected to develop.
Officials have urged the agricultural sector to adopt efficient irrigation practices and avoid unnecessary water wastage in an effort to preserve reservoir levels and minimise the potential impact on cultivation during the forthcoming season.
Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology has issued a heat advisory after the heat index reached cautionary levels in the districts of Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Ampara, Trincomalee and Monaragala. Residents in these areas have been advised to limit prolonged exposure to the sun, remain well hydrated and take appropriate precautions, particularly during the hottest hours of the day.
Authorities said they will continue to monitor both weather patterns and reservoir levels closely, urging the public to remain alert as forecasts indicate the possibility of hotter and drier conditions associated with the developing El Niño phenomenon.