The Department of Irrigation has urged farmers and all water users to use water sparingly, warning that forecast El Niño conditions could tighten supplies in the months ahead.
Director of Water Management H.M.P.S.D. Herath said the country’s 80 major reservoirs are currently holding around 48% of their total storage capacity. With drier weather anticipated under an El Niño pattern, the department is pressing cultivators to manage irrigation carefully to protect crops through the Yala season.
Separately, the Department of Meteorology has issued a heat-index cautionary advisory for the districts of Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Ampara, Trincomalee and Monaragala, urging the public in those areas to remain vigilant against the effects of high heat and humidity.
The warnings come as the government moves to strengthen its preparedness for potential El Niño-related climate shifts, which can bring both drought and, later in the year, heavier-than-usual rainfall. Water managers have said that keeping reservoir levels stable will be critical for both agriculture and hydropower generation in the event of a prolonged dry spell.
Authorities are expected to continue monitoring reservoir storage and weather patterns closely, and have asked farmers to follow official guidance on cultivation extents and water release schedules for the season.
Update (July 13): Repeating the appeal to the wider public, Irrigation Director (Water Management) H.M.P.S.D. Herath said the department’s 80 reservoirs remain at 48% of total capacity but that available supplies are expected to be sufficient, as cultivation for the Yala season has already been completed. He said adequate water is available for communities that depend on reservoirs for drinking water and that no shortage is anticipated, with rainfall expected during October and November.
