• 387,964 domestic water supply connections including in Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Puttalam yet to be restored, may take several days to fully restore all systems, public urged to use sparingly, no impact on water quality 

With the ongoing flood situation in several parts of the country, there is a potential risk of an outbreak of infectious diseases in the coming days, the Public Health Inspector’s (PHI) Union has warned. The Union Secretary, Chamil Muthukuda noted that there is a serious risk of the spread of dengue, chikungunya and leptospirosis. “Due to the recent emergency disaster situation that affected the country, we in the health sector expect a possible risk of severe communicable diseases spreading in the coming days. Accordingly, there is a high risk of the spread of dengue, chikungunya, and leptospirosis. We also expect some increase in non-communicable disease (NCD) conditions. Especially, the treatment of patients who receive care for diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer has now become disrupted. Their medication may have been lost due to the disaster situation. Therefore, we are paying special attention to these patients.”

Meanwhile, a total of 156 out of 343 water pumping stations schemes across the country suffered partial or complete damage due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has confirmed. The NWSDB Chairperson, Chandana Bandara stated that 126 of the damaged stations have already been restored. Around 30 additional pumping stations are currently undergoing repairs. The Meewathura water pumping station was expected to be operational within the course of yesterday (03). Commissioning this station would allow for the water supply to Pilimathalawa and Geli Oya. The supply of water to Kandy City has commenced. Although the supply to the City limits will initially be provided at partial capacity, arrangements have been made to ensure a full water supply to the Kandy National and Peradeniya Teaching Hospitals. Restoration work has also commenced at the Katugastota water pumping station, and the NWSDB expects a 100% water supply once the remaining inoperative stations are repaired in the coming days. Additionally, the NWSDB is coordinating with the Road Development Authority and the other relevant authorities to facilitate faster restoration in areas where access to damaged stations has been disrupted due to road blockages or flooding. Out of a total number of 2,947,833 domestic water supply connections across the island, a substantial portion was damaged owing to the disaster situation, and 387,964 connections that were disrupted due to landslides and flooding in recent days have not been restored thus far, the Commissioner-General of Essential Services, B.K. Prabath Chandrakeerthi said in a statement. The Districts that are most affected by the loss of water connections that are yet to be restored are: Kandy - 66.8%, Kegalle - 75.09%, Kurunegala - 41.34%, and Puttalam - 52.82%.

Moreover, the general public has been urged to use water sparingly, as some water supply systems in Kandy, Puttalam, Kurunegala and several areas are not operating at full capacity. Adverse weather conditions across the country have disrupted the operations of several water supply systems nationwide. Retired NWSDB staff have voluntarily come forward to assist in these efforts. Due to flooding, road blockages, damage to water pipes, power outages, the submersion of water intake points and damage to electrical and mechanical equipment, it may take several days to fully restore all water supply systems to normal operation. However, all water supply schemes in the Western Province are now operating at full capacity.

The quality of the water has not been affected in any way despite the disaster situation in the country, the NWSDB stated.

Bandara claimed that an uninterrupted water supply has been assured to 13 of the 22 Districts affected by the disaster.