Thundershowers reported on the western slopes of the central hills have brought an end to nearly three months of prolonged dry weather in key catchment areas, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
Rainfall lasting about one hour was experienced between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm on April 12, with showers recorded in major catchment areas including Castlereagh, Maussakelle and Upper Kotmale.
The extended dry spell had caused water levels in these reservoirs to drop significantly, leading to the drying up of water sources and drinking water shortages across the region.
Energy significance
The rainfall is a positive development for Sri Lanka’s strained electricity supply. The Castlereigh and Maussakelle reservoirs feed five major hydropower plants — Wimalasurendra, Laxapana, New Laxapana, Canyon and Polpitiya — which are critical to the national grid.
Declining reservoir levels had been one factor behind the electricity tariff revision requests from the National System Operator, as reduced hydropower output forces greater reliance on expensive thermal generation using imported coal.
The rains come at a crucial time, with the Middle East energy crisis constraining fuel imports and the Strait of Hormuz blockade adding fresh pressure on global oil supplies. Any recovery in hydropower generation would help reduce dependence on thermal power during the crisis.
The Meteorological Department has forecast normal rains for May-June 2026, suggesting the dry spell may now be ending ahead of the south-west monsoon season.
