• Bowser supply planned for Rukmalgama housing scheme

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has reduced the duration of scheduled water cuts in several areas of Colombo to 12 hours, stating that technical issues affecting pipelines in low-pressure areas have now been resolved. 

The Board has also planned to provide water to the Rukmalgama Housing Scheme in Kottawa using bowsers if required.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (5), NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara said the decision to shorten water cut hours followed the rectification of malfunctions in several pipelines and was not linked to any changes in weather forecasts. “The Department of Meteorology warned us earlier about reduced rainfall, and those forecasts remain unchanged. Therefore, the reduction in water cut hours is not due to expectations of rain,” he said.

He added that the Board has already taken steps to keep water bowsers on standby to meet possible shortages. “At present, only the Rukmalgama Housing Scheme has been identified as needing water supplied through bowsers. No other areas have been identified for such arrangements so far,” he said.

The NWSDB initially announced 24-hour water cuts on 2 April for several areas in the Colombo District, including Padukka, Homagama and Pelanwatta, citing prolonged dry weather. The scheduled cuts were later reduced to 18 hours on 3 April, and further shortened to between eight and 12 hours on 4 April.