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Dry weather could affect food production and hydro power generation

03 Oct 2011 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Experts today said the country’s food production and hydro power generation could be affected if the prevailing dry weather condition continues for another two to three weeks.

Acting Director General of the Meteorology Department S.H. Kariyawasama said Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a delayed second inter-monsoonal rain and heavy rains cannot be predicted in the days to come.

“The weather pattern is not favourable for heavy rains until November,” Mr. Kariyawasam said, adding, “The last heavy rains for this year were in April.”

Director, of the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research Institute, Lalith Shanta Jayasekara said Sri Lanka received the lowest rain fall in 30 years this year.

“We did not have considerable and continuous rain after February during which heavy flash floods destroyed nearly 200,000 hectares of paddy lands. The prevailing dry weather and water shortfall will definitely affect paddy production and the cultivation of other food crops,” Mr. Jayasekera emphasised.

General Manager, System Control, CEB T.D. Handagama said the capacity of the major reservoirs has come down to 35% of the total capacity and the hydro power generation has been reduced to 20% of the total power supply.

Mr. Handagama added that the exiting capacity of the Castlreigh is 30%, Maussakele 47%, Kotmale 42%, Victoria 37%, Randenigala 21% and Samanalawewa 19% of the total capacity which is half of last year’s capacity by October.

Director, Irrigation and Water Management, H.M. Jayatilaka said the country’s irrigation tanks are filled only to 1/3 of their full capacity and the situation would get aggravated if there was no rain in the next few weeks.

The water capacity in irrigation tanks, district-wise remained at 27% in Ampara, 24% in Badulla, 27% in Batticaloa, 40% in Hambantota, 21% in Matale, 24% in Kurunegala, 46% in Monaragala, 19% in Polonnaruwa, 17% in Puttalam, 18% in Trincomalee, 10% in Vavuniya and 30% in Mannar by today, according to data available at the Irrigation and Water Management unit at the Irrigation Department. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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Dry weather could affect food production and hydro power generation

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