By Sarah Hannan While experiencing light showers in Colombo, the temperature forecast for the period of July through September indicates that temperatures will continue to remain above average levels for at least 15 districts. The increases in wind speeds are also causing an increase in the evapotranspiration levels, especially in the north-eastern, north-central, and north-western areas of the country. In order to provide access to safe drinking water to affected areas around the island, the National Disaster Relief Services Centre allocated Rs. 37 million. “Sri Lanka is currently experiencing below-normal rainfall, and some areas have not received any rain since December 2018. Today, this has affected 17 districts. Through our district-level disaster management units, we have made arrangements to supply drinking water to affected families. From the Government, we have dispatched 600 water bowsers to facilitate water supply,” Disaster Management Centre Media Spokesperson Pradeep Kodippili informed. It was also reported that the water levels of major reservoirs in the Eastern Province were at 26% at the end of May. The countrywide water capacity too had dropped below 30% by end-June. According to the Department of Irrigation, only two reservoirs have water capacities of above 60% – Dambulu Oya at 80.5% and Kandalama Reservoir at 64.8%. Senanayaka Samudra in Ampara (largest tank in the country with 947 million cubic metres) had only 9% of its capacity by end-June. Effects on farming The Sunday Morning contacted Department of Irrigation Director General Engineer S. Mohanarajah to understand the present situation and how it would affect the farming communities in these affected areas. “The south-western region of the country is currently experiencing some rainfall. However, there is no rainfall in some areas. We were expecting at least a little rain that would allow us to conserve the available water resources for ‘Yala’ season, but we did not receive rain,” he noted. In hopes of facilitating the farming requirements, the farmers had been requested to select crops that would take a shorter time span to grow. “Some of the farmers have adjusted their routines, and they have even adapted dry ploughing so they could make maximum use of the little rain that is received during this period. They are also growing crops that require less water,” Mohanarajah added. The farmers that depend on the Kantale Tank are facing water scarcity and according to the Department of Irrigation, this area can be replenished through the Moragahakanda Dam project. “They could have enjoyed water supply from Moragahakanda from January, but they protested, assuming that there would be some rainfall. They suspected opening a supply line from the Moragahakanda Dam would create an excess of water, causing floods. But now, they are requesting water and it is a challenge to supply water as the other regions have started their cultivation and they are in need of water as well.” However, considering the water needed for domestic use and to balance off the groundwater table, the Department of Irrigation opens a water supply passage through designated channels every two weeks. “If this dry spell continues, we will not be at a capacity to even do that, and it would affect the ‘Maha’ season farming activities.” Contingency planning and immediate response With the technical assistance of the UN World Food Programme, the Ministry of Public Administration, Disaster Management, and Rural Economic Affairs together with the Department of Meteorology, the Disaster Management Centre, and the National Disaster Relief Services Centre prepared a bulletin on climate and food security monitoring. The team had proposed short to medium-term recommendations that could be implemented to reduce the impact of dry weather and address the current issues. Drinking water · Prepare a contingency budget for water transportation and rehabilitation of secondary water sources to be used from July to early October 2019 · Renovate the water wells, boreholes, and tube wells as secondary sources of drinking water · Establish systems to control water supply to manage the demand with existing water capacity · Establish water purification units based on the availability in key locations to supply safe water · Media campaigns among public and private sectors to conserve water and minimise water wastage · District and divisional administrations have to take measures on protection and effective management of water sources Agriculture · Farmers to be supported with agricultural inputs for cultivating arable lands in the Wet Zone which have sufficient access to water resources · Production of drought-tolerant crops should be promoted for home gardening, especially in the Wet Zone · Renovation of agro wells to be prioritised to feed livestock, and water supply for additional upland crops · Authorities have to make more emphasis on the inland fishing industry Food security · The Government needs to analyse current social protection schemes and make necessary policy decisions considering most affected families have recurrently been affected by drought since 2016 · Market prices and crop production cycles to be closely monitored in order to ensure the supply of essential food items to the markets under a guaranteed price · Cash for work and other climate resilience building activities to be implemented to address short-term food insecurity, while the community-level agricultural infrastructure is developed with the participation of the drought-affected communities