President Demands Urgent Action as El Niño Threatens to Drain Sri Lanka's Reservoirs

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed authorities to take immediate preventive measures to safeguard the country's water resources before reservoir levels drop to critical lows, as Sri Lanka braces for an extended period of dry weather linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon.

Emergency Committee Convened

The directive was issued during a high-level meeting of the Special Cabinet Sub-Committee and Officials' Committee, which was established specifically to coordinate the government's response to the impacts of El Niño across the island. Senior officials from relevant ministries and agencies were present at the discussions.

The President stressed that reactive measures alone would not be sufficient and that proactive steps must be taken well in advance to prevent a water crisis from developing into a full-scale emergency affecting agriculture, drinking water supplies, and daily life for millions of Sri Lankans.

Dry Weather Concerns Mount

Meteorological forecasts have indicated that Sri Lanka is likely to experience significantly reduced rainfall in the coming weeks, raising serious concerns about the capacity of major reservoirs that serve both irrigation networks and urban water supply systems across the country.

El Niño conditions are known to disrupt normal rainfall patterns across South Asia, and Sri Lanka has historically been vulnerable to prolonged drought during such climate cycles. Officials have warned that without timely intervention, communities dependent on agriculture could face severe hardship during the dry season.

Authorities Put on Alert

Following the President's instructions, relevant government departments have been placed on heightened alert, with orders to:

• Monitor reservoir water levels on a continuous basis and report findings regularly to the committee
• Implement water conservation measures across all irrigation schemes without delay
• Coordinate with the agriculture sector to advise farmers on crop planning suited to reduced water availability
• Ensure uninterrupted drinking water supplies to households in vulnerable districts

Government Signals Zero Tolerance for Delay

The President made clear that no government institution should wait for a crisis to emerge before acting, emphasising that preparedness and early action are the cornerstones of an effective response to climate-related challenges.

The Special Cabinet Sub-Committee is expected to hold follow-up sessions to review progress on the measures ordered and assess evolving weather conditions as the dry period sets in.

Sri Lanka has faced recurring water shortages in recent years, and climate scientists have warned that El Niño events are likely to become more frequent and intense as global temperatures continue to rise, placing greater pressure on the country's water management infrastructure.

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