News
Dry weather here due to global climatic changes
The prevailing drought in the northern part of Sri Lanka is due to the disturbance caused to the monsoonal rain patterns by global climatic changes, says Department of Meteorology duty forecaster Ananda Jayasinhearachchi.
Wilpattu: A deer goes in search of water as another wild animal lies dead. Pic by Kanchana Ariyadasa
He said that rains received for the duration of the Southwest monsoon to date are below average of the usual rainfall.
“The development of rain-bearing clouds is low due to decreased moisture levels in the atmosphere above 5,000 metres, where development of rain-bearing clouds takes place. This has resulted in decreased rainfall” he said.
He added that, even though there has been a break in the drought in the last few days, with showers in the Eastern, North, North-central, Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, and also in Galle and Matara districts, the dry weather will prevail for most of the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, reports from the Ministry of Agrarian Services and Wildlife state that the drought has wroughthavoc in the Northern part of the island, damaging 100,000 acres of crops.
“About 122,000 families are affected by the drought, and the authorities have begun a scheme to pay compensation to these families, where each family will get Rs. 500 per day as wages, for their participation in reservoir renovation activities” said Agrarian Commissioner General Sunil Weerasignhe.
He added that, under the compensation scheme, a family will be paid at least Rs 5,000 per month, while a programme is presently on at divisional level to interact with farmers and cater to their needs.
Mannar Agricultural Services Deputy Director, K.M.A. Sukur said that, to date, the drought has destroyed an estimated 1,250 acres of paddy, which could increase to 3,000 acres, if the drought continues. However, measures have been taken to pay compensation to affected parties, with the coordination of Government Agents and Divisional secretaries.
Jaffna Government Agent, Sundaram Arumanayagam said that four divisions in the Jaffna District- Velanei, Kayts, Delft and Karainagar are affected by the drought. He said that bottled drinking water and other necessities are being provided to affected families, with the coordination of Divisional secretaries, and measures will be taken to pay compensation for crop damage.
“Compensation has not been paid yet, as the process of data collection on crop damage is still in progress,” said Badulla Government Agent, H.D. Silva.
Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Puttalam are the worst affected, while Kurunegala, Trincomalee, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Kilinochchi are also badly affected.
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