The Kattakaduwa Reservoir, which supplies water to the people of the area under the Ranna Drinking Water Scheme, which is one of the main drinking water schemes in the Southern Province, was drying up due to the ongoing drought and was only able to provide water for two or three days.
Due to this, about 12,500 families had to face drinking water problems.
Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera discussed the matter with the Mahaweli Authority and took steps to bring water from Chandrika Lake to Kattakaduwa Reservoir. Accordingly, steps were taken to provide water through the water diversion structure to provide water directly through the canal that provides water from Chandrika Lake to Kattakaduwa Reservoir.
Accordingly, the need for water that the people were facing was solved.
Meanwhile, the Minister on Sunday (27) inspected the flow of water in the main canal that brings water from Chandrika wewa to the Kattakaduwa Reservoir.
The main lake that supplies water to the Angunakolapelessa Reservoir Scheme and the Eraminiyaya Lake has also been drained, so the Minister decided to start the restoration work of that lake.
Minister Amaraweera took steps to provide Rs. 15 million from the money spent for that purpose by the National Water Supply and Drainage Board and if more money is needed by the Agrarian Development Department.
Officials pointed out that since the Ereminiyayawe, which has never happened before, has dried up this time, the lake can also get water from Chandrika wewa, but the restoration should be done.
Commenting on this, the Minister emphasized that due to the drought situation, more than 10,000 lakes in the island have dried up completely, and the water level in all the main reservoirs has decreased to 35 to 40 percent.
The Minister also mentioned that according to the allocations received by the Department of Agrarian Development, the work has already started to restore the damaged tanks before the monsoon rains. Due to the ongoing El Nino effect, it is assumed that there will be good rainfall in the next season, while the next season will be dry again, the Met Department has said.
Therefore, the Minister said that by renovating these tanks before the monsoon, more water can be stored and the problem of the farmers can be solved.
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