A Special Programme launched To Address Drinking Water Shortages In the Dry-Zone

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A programme has been launched to obtain groundwater as a solution to drinking water shortages in the Batticaloa and Monaragala districts.

The initial phase of the programme commenced today in the Monaragala District.

The Disaster Management Centre says drinking water is being provided to more than 75,000 people affected by the prevailing dry weather conditions, which have been exacerbated by the El Niño conditions, across seven districts.

Several Divisional Secretariat divisions in Monaragala, Badulla, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, Ratnapura, Batticaloa and Ampara are among the areas severely affected by the dry weather.

The total number of people affected in these districts exceeds 84,500.

In Monaragala, around 15,000 families across 75 Grama Niladhari divisions in eight Divisional Secretariat divisions are currently affected by drought conditions.

Monaragala, Siyambalanduwa and Madagama Divisional Secretariat divisions are the worst affected areas in the district.

Drinking water is currently being distributed using 39 water bowsers.

The groundwater extraction programme in Monaragala commenced today in the Rattapitiya village in the Magandanamulla මාගන්දනමුල්ල Grama Niladhari Division of Monaragala.

Under the project, 267 tube wells are scheduled to be rehabilitated.

In addition, 100 new tube wells capable of extracting water on a large scale will also be constructed.