Water distribution in several areas of Kandy and Kundasale has resumed after a 10-day disruption from April 6 to 15, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) confirmed Saturday, and no new cuts are planned across the country for now.
NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara said that despite prevailing dry weather, current water resources were being managed effectively and no decision had been taken on further rationing.
The Kandy outage was triggered by operational failures in the raw water pumps at the Balagolla Water Treatment Plant. Heavy silt and mud deposits left behind by Cyclone Ditwah in November 2025 had accumulated near the intake points, repeatedly clogging the pumps and filtration process.
Severe heat in recent weeks has simultaneously pulled levels at the Victoria Reservoir down sharply. The NWSDB built a temporary dam at the intake site to work around the lower water column and has now restored purification capacity to cover most affected households. Bowsers continue to supply water to pockets still off the grid.
Engineers are laying new pipelines to draw water directly from the Haragama pool within the Victoria Reservoir to the treatment plant, a workaround expected to be completed within two to three days. The project is designed to secure supply through the tail of the dry spell even as the reservoir continues to lose volume.
The Met Department has already warned of weakening monsoon rains under El Niño conditions, and Pallekelle and Homagama have faced parallel water stress in recent weeks.
