The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) ruled out immediate water supply restrictions despite the prevailing El Niño-related climate conditions affecting the country, saying any such measures would depend on future developments.

NWSDB Chairperson Chandana Bandara said the Board would continue operating at its maximum water production capacity, as neither the Irrigation Department nor the Mahaweli Authority, which manage the country’s main reservoirs supplying drinking water, has imposed any restrictions on water extraction so far.

He said the NWSDB would consider introducing water supply restrictions only if reservoir levels decline significantly in the future, forcing the Irrigation Department or the Mahaweli Authority to limit water withdrawals.

“Any decision on restrictions will be taken based on the prevailing conditions at that time,” Bandara said.

Meanwhile, he said the NWSDB had already begun making special preparations to deal with the impact of the current climate situation, including improving existing tube well systems to enhance groundwater extraction capacity.

Bandara urged the public to use water responsibly, avoid unnecessary wastage, and restrict consumption to essential needs until the situation improves.

According to forecasts issued by the Meteorology Department, dry weather conditions have already affected the Ampara, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Hambantota, and Monaragala Districts.

Bandara said rainfall is expected to return after September, but warned that the effects of the prevailing conditions could be felt more severely during January, February, March, and April next year.

The Meteorology Department has attributed the current weather patterns to the developing El Niño phenomenon, which is expected to influence rainfall patterns in the coming months.