Sri Lanka reservoir capacity falls to 47.3 pct amid dry weather

COLOMBO, Sept. 7 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's total reservoir capacity has dropped to approximately 47.3 percent as dry and hot weather continues across the country, the Irrigation Department said Monday.

Despite the decline in water levels, existing reserves are expected to be sufficient to complete the remaining period of the country's traditional Yala cultivation season, which spans from May to September, said H.M.P.S.D. Herath, director of Water Management at the Irrigation Department.

The available stocks are also expected to meet drinking water requirements in areas dependent on the reservoirs until the next rainfall, he said.

Water levels in major reservoirs managed by the Irrigation Department currently stand at about 34.4 percent, while reservoirs in the Ampara, Batticaloa and Trincomalee districts are at around 20 percent.

Herath urged the public to use water sparingly for both agriculture and drinking purposes, noting that high temperatures have increased evaporation losses from reservoirs. ■