Reservoir levels fall near 50% amid dry spell

Tuesday, 8 September 2026 03:33 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Water levels in reservoirs across Sri Lanka have dropped to around 47.3% of total capacity amid prevailing dry weather, the Irrigation Department said.

Major reservoirs under the Department’s direct control are holding 34.4% of capacity, with reservoirs in the Ampara, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee Districts particularly low, averaging around 20% of capacity.

Authorities said the available water remains sufficient to complete the ongoing Yala season, the shorter of Sri Lanka’s two paddy cultivation seasons, and to meet drinking water needs in reservoir-dependent areas until the next rainfall.

With hot weather intensifying evaporation losses, the Department has urged farmers and communities to use water sparingly for both cultivation and drinking purposes.

The Government said plans for the upcoming Maha season, the main cultivation season, are being prepared. Decisions on when the season will begin will be taken at cultivation meetings, based on water levels available at the time, with the aim of starting Maha cultivation as early as possible, the Department said.