No rains yet: Outlook bleak for farmers

Farmers in Vavuniya are facing a crisis situation as the expected rains for the Maha Season are yet to materialize. Normally, most small tanks in the Vavuniya area would be overflowing at this point of time. However, with rains remaing scarce, most tanks are nowhere near their capacity, and this has made it extremely difficult for farmers to begin planting their crops. 

Hundreds of acres of farmland have been abandoned thus far due to lack of water for agricultural purposes. Some farmers though, have begun planting their crops with the expectations that the rains may yet fall in the next few weeks. Nevertheless, they too say that if monsoon rains continue to be delayed, the situation would be extremely bleak. 

Story and Pix by Romesh Madhusanka

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