Irrigation Department urges public to use water sparingly as reservoir levels fall to 37%

The Irrigation Department has urged the public and all water users to use water sparingly as water levels in the 74 major reservoirs under its control have fallen to around 37% of total capacity.

An Irrigation Department official said the available water is expected to be sufficient for the remainder of the Yala cultivation season and for drinking water requirements in areas supplied by the major reservoirs until the expected monsoon rainfall in November and December.

However, water levels in several reservoirs, particularly in the Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts, have reached relatively low levels, the official said.

Several medium-scale reservoirs have also recorded critically low water levels due to the prevailing hot weather, with increased evaporation and other forms of water loss further reducing available supplies.

The department urged farmers in irrigation schemes where the Yala season has not yet concluded to use water efficiently and only for essential requirements.

The public has also been advised to limit daily water consumption to essential needs to help conserve available supplies until the next rainfall.

The department said alternative measures, including the use of wells and other canals, are being used to address water shortages in irrigation schemes where shortages have been reported.

It added that efforts are continuing to ensure that the water requirements of irrigation schemes covered by decisions taken at seasonal cultivation meetings are maintained until the end of the Yala season. (Newswire)