News
Where have the monsoon rains gone
Drought conditions prevailing throughout the country have upset the day-to-day functioning of human and animal life.
The Disaster Management Centre said severe drought conditions affected many areas in the country including
several districts in the Northern, North Central, North Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces. Puttalam, Jaffna, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Matale, Hambantota, Ampara, Batticaloa and Moneragala are among the worst affected districts.
Reports from the Nuwara Eliya district confirm the current monsoon season had yielded far less rainfall than in earlier years, which will result water-related problems if the monsoon rains do not pick up.
Residents of the city of Nuwara Eliya drew comparisons between the monsoon conditions this year and earlier years. June and July usually bring strong winds and heavy rain.This year there was little to no rain they said.
Current weather reports in Nuwara Eliya show temperatures of over 20 degrees celsius. This is much higher than the average temperature in the area during the monsoon period.
Farmers in the area have reported that high temperatures had resulted in difficulty in obtaining sufficient water for cultivation.
In many areas people have had to use alternatives to water. Palmayrah water is in demand due to the shortage of drinking water.
Animals -both domestic and wild- too have been adversely affected by the drought..
The situation has got so bad, that monkeys on Wadasiti Kanda in Kataragama have resorted to using man made water bottles to obtain water.
Stray dogs who customarily use roadside puddles to quench their thirst are seen running hither and thither in search of the precious liquid.
Dropping water levels have adversely affected vegetation in many areas, with dried leaves and brown grass being prevalent throughout the country.