* Drought hits reservoir capacities in Sri Lanka
Tue, Mar 16, 2010, 08:45 pm SL Time, ColomboPage News Desk, Sri Lanka.

Mar 16, Colombo: Mahaweli Water Management Secretariat of Sri Lanka says that the capacity levels of the island's major reservoirs have dropped sharply due to drought conditions in the country.

The catchment areas of these reservoirs did not receive sufficient rain during the past few months.

According to the secretariat, the water level of Kothmale reservoir is 23%, Castlereagh 35.4%, Maussakele 48%, Samanalaweva 48.3% by yesterday. Hydropower generation plants in the country directly utilize these reservoirs.

The capacity of the Kanthale, Kala Weva, Nuwara Weva Thisa Weva dry zone reservoirs have also collapsed to 50%. Capacity of Nachchaduva and Dambuluoya reservoirs has also dropped. These reservoirs mainly provide water for rice cultivation.

However, the water levels in most reservoirs are gradually increasing following the rains received in the last few days and the water levels are better compared to last year in these reservoirs.

Harvesting is underway in most areas now and the release of water for the next crop season is to begin in the middle of April. The Irrigation Department says that the lack of rains might affect the agricultural activities in the coming season.

Wet zone areas of Sri Lanka have experienced severe drought due to lack of inter monsoonal rains.