News
Adverse weather affects 12,000 acres of agricultural lands
View(s):Winds exceeding 70 miles per hour were experienced in several parts of Sri Lanka yesterday. Forecasting director Anusha Warnasooriya, said coastal areas also would be hit by strong winds. She expects average rainfall during the southwest monsoon.
With strong winds and showers also comes the danger of landslides.
The National Building Research Organization said that the landslide warning was issued on May 30, but if heavy rains continue, the alert will have be reissued. “If rains continue in Ratnapura and Eheliyagoda areas, landslide warnings will have to be issued,’’ said NBRO senior scientist, Dr Wasantha Senadeera.
The recent adverse weather badly affected 12,000 acres of agricultural land. According to Namal Karunaratne, the head of the National Organization of the All-island Farmers Federation, said farmers in Kurunegala, Matale, Moneragala, Badulla, Nuwara Eliya, Puttalam and Gampaha have suffered from the destruction.
“Most of the vegetables were destroyed in the rains. This time, just as much as the consumers felt the effect of higher prices of vegetables, the farmers are also in a bad situation,’’ he said. According to Mr Karunaratne farmers are affected by the two extreme weather conditions every year and the Government has to find long-term solutions.
“Cold storage is always an option to store the excess vegetables during such a calamity and the country must adopt cultivation plans to stabilise the agricultural industry,’’ he said. The director of Irrigation, Water Management and Training. W B Palugaswewa said the monsoon is concentrated on the southwestern areas.
But there is not enough rain in the North-Central, North-Western and Eastern provinces where irrigated agriculture is widespread.
“The recent rainfall increased the reservoir capacity from 40% to 49%. However, in two to three weeks, the capacity dropped to 48%,’’ he said. The Irrigation Department has issued water for cultivation in the three provinces.
Mr Palugaswewa said that the monsoon will not completely fill up the reservoirs because rainfall has been below normal.
“There will be a moderate increase in reservoir capacity with the monsoonal rains,’’ he said.
| Heavy winds to continue till tomorrow The Disaster Management Center yesterday warned of heavy winds, affecting the Western, Central, North Central and Southern provinces. DMC Deputy Director Pradeep Kodippili said the windy conditions would continue till tomorrow and urged people to be cautious about falling trees and branches. He said five houses had been destroyed by falling trees or branches and 82 houses partially damaged in the Kurunegala and Galle districts which had been experiencing heavy winds since Friday night. The roofing sheets of several houses had been blown away and power lines disconnected by the strong winds. Transport was also disrupted by fallen trees on several roads in the Hatton area. The Monaragala and Ambalangoda areas were also affected. | |