Dairy farmers in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa are facing severe difficulties as the prevailing dry weather has reduced access to food and water for cattle, while tens of thousands of people across seven districts are also receiving emergency drinking water supplies. Farmers said the daily milk yield from a cow, which previously stood at around seven to eight litres, has fallen to between one and two litres due to the shortage of animal feed. Meanwhile water levels in several major and minor reservoirs have also dropped significantly. Among the affected areas are the Giritale Reservoir in Polonnaruwa, Senanayake Samudraya in Ampara and reservoirs in the Nochchiyagama and Kuda Oya Maduwa areas of Anuradhapura. The severe dry spell has also affected wildlife, with fish deaths reported in some areas. Herds of wild elephants from Somawathiya National Park have reportedly been seen travelling towards Janaranjana Wewa in search of drinking water. The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said the dry weather has affected 26,457 families, comprising 84,545 people, across 25 Divisional Secretariat divisions in seven districts. Drinking water is currently being distributed to 75,734 people from 24,144 families in 22 Divisional Secretariat divisions across six districts. Monaragala has recorded the highest number of people receiving drinking water, with supplies being provided to 35,639 people from 11,074 families. Drinking water is also being distributed to 28,253 people from 9,547 families in Batticaloa, 8,847 people from 2,823 families in Ampara, 2,646 people from 683 families in Polonnaruwa and 79 people from 17 families in Ratnapura. Amid the continuing dry conditions, the Mawbima Surakime Sanvidhanaya has also initiated an islandwide programme of rain-invoking pirith chanting programmes (wehi pirith), with the participation of Buddhist monks, seeking relief from the drought. (Newswire) The post Drought leaves dairy farmers struggling as 84,545 people face water shortages appeared first on Newswire.
