Colombo, Jan 25 (NIA) – Heavy rains in several parts of Sri Lanka has reduced the severe drought situation in many affected districts, the Disaster Management Center said here Wednesday.
According to recent statistics, the number of affected people from the prevailing drought has dropped from over 1 million to 700,000, but officials said more heavy rains were needed to ease the situation.
Disaster Management Center Spokesperson, Pradeep Kodippili told NewsIn.Asia that while the number of affected people had reduced, clean water distribution was still continuing in some districts.
“The situation is easing due to the heavy rains but as many people are still affected clean water distribution will continue,” Kodippili said.
Sri Lanka has been facing the worst drought in over four decades with 18 districts severely affected.
Many water reservoirs still continue to be far below normal levels and the public has been urged to use water and electricity sparingly due to a threat of a power crisis.
In the Eastern Province, officials said that 50,000 people remain affected by the drought while in the former war torn north, over 250,000 people were affected.
The prevailing drought has been the cause of very less rainfalls last year.
During 2016, Sri Lanka had only one period of exceptionally high rainfall which led to floods and landslides.
Other than that the island received very less rains, hampering irrigation and agriculture.
The Meteorology Department, in its latest weather report on Wednesday however said that fairly heavy showers (about 75mm) were likely at some places, particularly in the Eastern province and south-western part of the country.
It also said showers or thundershowers would occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces and in the Hambantota district, which were some of the worst affected by the drought.
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