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Yala crop and power generation at risk from reservoirs drying up
View(s):- By Nathara Abeywickrema
Although torrential downpours over the past few weeks brought much needed relief to several arid regions, observations have been made that the water level in tanks is slowly dropping to their minimum operating levels.
The Irrigation Department has 73 major tanks coming under its purview. Many tanks in Anuradhapura, strikingly Nachchaduwa tank have run moderately dry, Engineer Sudarshani Widanapathirana Director of Irrigation (Water Management) of the Irrigation Department of Sri Lanka disclosed.
“Resulting in significant improvement in some areas that cover Gin, Kelaniya, Nilwala, Kalu Rivers received heavy rainfall over the past few weeks, yet, the rest of the areas did not receive rainfall as expected that caused dropping of the water level in tanks in certain areas,” she said.
The Irrigation Department is of the view that poor rainfall distribution has been a significant challenge on rain-fed agriculture even in the regions considered to be receiving enough. 
“About 80-85% paddy cultivation is done during the ‘Yala’ cultivation season. Additionally, the water level of the tanks also decreases during the latter of the ‘Yala’ season. For the time being, we have to deliver two or three issues of water,” said Eng. Widanapathirana.
The department said that currently three more water issuances are needed. The department is managing this along with the water control committee and the Mahaweli Authority.
Nonetheless, the Department had been able to release water sufficient enough to cultivate paddy lands during the ‘Yala’ season. At present, two issues of water from the Kala Wewa have been prepared for the lower area of Nachchaduwa. Water management is also controlled according to the systems of local officials.
Director General (Technical Services) of Mahaweli Authority and Director of Water Management Secretariat Engineer Nilantha Danapala said that the rainfall was about 30% which is below average.
“Water tanks in the Thambuttegama area confront issues in respect to irrigation. Frequency balancing in terms of distributing water has met certain challenges owing to low rainfall. Despite the difficulties, the Mahaweli Authority is making its best efforts to provide sufficient water to such areas for cultivation purposes,” Eng. Danapala further asserted.
The Mahaweli Authority further confirmed that lack of adequate precipitation has also impacted hydropower generation in the Southern region.
“Water scarcity is expected to be exacerbated by climate change that would entail multiple adverse impacts on crops. Presently, it could be noted that water is insufficient for the season. Besides Nachchaduwa, the water level of the Medaketiya tank dropped by 70%. Padaviya tank and Yaan Oya also confront decrease in water storage where concerns arise in the case of distributing water,” Director of Irrigation in Anuradhapura region Engineer S.D. Mediwaka stressed.
The matter is the same in Nuwara wewa and Abaya wewa from the city area that calls for strict water management.
“Farmers are encouraged to use water sparingly. Despite the severe weather damaging some crops, the rain would be a welcome sight for some farmers,” Mr. Mediwaka
Eng. Mediwaka pointed out that irrigation as a public sector entity leans on budget allocations to obtain financing which have not been adequate to improve water-efficient irrigation.
Meantime All Island Agrarian Services Union Vice President Susantha Kumara Nawaratne said effects of severe changes in rainfall pattern could disrupt crop production that could lead to food insecurity and poverty.
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