More than 81,000 people across seven districts are currently affected by drinking water shortages, with authorities providing water to over 72,000 people as dry conditions continue across parts of the country, as per the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
According to the DMC, as of Friday (21), 25,628 families comprising 81,765 people were affected by drinking water shortages in Ampara, Badulla, Batticaloa, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura, and Hambantota. Drinking water was being supplied to 23,048 families comprising 72,053 people across 20 divisional secretariat divisions.
Monaragala recorded the highest number of people affected at 33,023, followed by Batticaloa with 28,523. Ampara, Badulla, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, and Ratnapura were also included in the list. Water distribution was being carried out to affected communities in Ampara, Batticaloa, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, and Ratnapura.
However, National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) Chairman Chandana Bandara said that the situation did not currently constitute a widespread water shortage, with shortages mostly affecting two areas in the Monaragala District.
“Currently there is a shortage in the Monaragala District, specifically in Monaragala and Bibile. There is no such shortage anywhere else,” Bandara told The Sunday Morning.
He said the NWSDB was supplying water by bowsers to the affected areas and had contingency plans in place in case dry conditions were to worsen.
“We supply water via bowsers. Right now, there is such an issue in just two small areas in Monaragala. We are supplying water bowsers for that,” he said.
Bandara added that the board had programmes in place to respond to potential future shortages during prolonged dry periods.
The water shortages come as the Department of Meteorology’s Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre issued an Amber warm weather advisory for the Eastern and North Central Provinces, as well as Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, and Monaragala.
The advisory warned that the daytime Heat Index was predicted to reach the ‘Caution’ level of 39°C to 45°C in the affected areas.
Meteorologists have warned that extended exposure or severe physical activity in such conditions may cause physical fatigue, as well as an increase in the risk of muscle and heat cramps.