Irrigation Ministry-NWSDB to coordinate on drinking water 

Water levels in reservoirs dwindling rapidly

The Irrigation Ministry will give priority to supplying water for cultivated agricultural lands, if drought conditions linked to the anticipated El Niño phenomenon worsen, while continuously coordinating with the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to ensure the uninterrupted supply of drinking water, Deputy Irrigation Minister Aravinda Senarath assured.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (20), he said the Government is now gaining a clearer understanding of the likely impacts of El Niño, including the extent of the challenges that it could pose. "We were aware of the possibility of an El Niño phenomenon, we didn’t have a quantitative understanding of the conditions that it could create. We are only now beginning to understand its possible impact," he said.

He noted that water levels in reservoirs are already declining rapidly, although the situation varies across the country depending on the stage of cultivation in each area. "This is not a common situation across the country. In some areas, cultivation has already been completed, while in others, crops are at a more advanced stage, and in some places, cultivation has only just begun," he said.

Senarath said that the Government has already prepared a plan to prioritise the supply of water to cultivated lands and is simultaneously working with the NWSDB to safeguard drinking water supplies. "As the Ministry, our priority is to provide water for the lands that have already been cultivated. At the same time, we are in constant discussion with the NWSDB to ensure the supply of drinking water. The necessary measures will be taken according to the requirements of each District," he said.

Earlier, the Water Supply Ministry stated that it had instructed the NWSDB to begin preparations for the possible impacts of the anticipated El Niño phenomenon, with particular attention being paid to expanding the water treatment capacity.

The Disaster Management Centre recently warned that the anticipated El Niño phenomenon could be one of the most severe that the country has faced, with the potential to dry up major water sources and create significant challenges in meeting the country's drinking water needs. Officials cautioned that the limited number of water bowsers available for emergency distribution may not be sufficient if drought conditions worsen and said that the desalination of seawater may have to be considered as a last resort to ensure access to drinking water.