- 84 complaints received in two days
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said that the complaints they receive through the newly initiated hotline 117 regarding water shortages, will be responded to by its District Disaster Coordinating Units (DDCUs) established under district secretariats in each district with the aim of providing a faster service.
When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (17), Director General of the DMC, Major General (Retired) Udaya Herath, said that the issues will be addressed at the district level in order to enhance the efficiency of the programme, and the regional offices of the other relevant stakeholders, such as the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB), will also support the programme.
The Director General also stated that they had received 27 complaints yesterday from all over the island by the time he was making the comment, and he also said that a total of 57 complaints had been received by the DMC on the day before yesterday (16).
“Sometimes we have to face many difficulties with the existing weather conditions. For example, the NWSDB may not be able to supply water at the same pressure as it earlier did. But, the DMC has already started supplying water for four divisional secretariats in Gampaha and Kegalle districts. We are directly involved in that programme as the DMC,” he added.
The DMC last week introduced a hotline for residents in areas facing drinking water issues to promptly contact the DMC for assistance, in view of the ongoing arid weather conditions. Speaking in this regard to the media, Deputy Director of the DMC, Pradeep Kodippili, also stated that area residents could also contact their nearest Grama Niladhari Officer in a bid to resolve the matter.
Reports have revealed that, as of now, nearly 3,000 families in the Kegalle and Kurunegala districts are grappling with drinking water shortages. Accordingly, Kodippili assured that collaborative efforts are underway with the National Disaster Relief Service Centre and water transportation units to ensure that affected communities receive timely support and solutions to alleviate their drinking water challenges.