Drought leads to drinking water shortage in several districts

A severe drought situation has been reported in several Sri Lankan districts, causing a water shortage, the Government Information Department said.

There is a severe drought in several districts including Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee, Hambantota and Monaragala. The Polonnaruwa District in the North Central Province is the worst affected.

Due to the situation, the Ministry of Disaster Management has taken steps to supply adequate drinking water to these areas through temporary tanks.

A 24-hour hotline, 117, has been introduced in these areas to convey information about problems related to the water shortage, said Disaster Management Centre Assistant Director Pradeep Kodippili.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Meteorology Department Lalith Chandrapala says the main reason for the prevailing dry weather conditions is the absence of rain expected from the south-west monsoon weather pattern.

The inter-monsoon weather pattern will commence after 10 October and rains can be expected throughout the island subsequently, he said.