The National Water Supply and Drainage Board has implemented a four-hour daily water supply restriction in parts of Batticaloa District due to declining water levels at the Unnichchai Reservoir caused by dry weather conditions.
Parts of Batticaloa District are experiencing restricted water access as the National Water Supply and Drainage Board responds to falling water levels at the Unnichchai Reservoir. According to NWSDB Chairman A.M.P.C.T. Bandara, water supply in the affected areas has been reduced to four hours daily, with service suspended between approximately 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. each day.
The restrictions reflect broader water management challenges posed by the current dry weather conditions. The Chairman noted that treatment plants operated by the NWSDB nationwide continue functioning normally, with arrangements in place to produce and distribute water at maximum capacity. He indicated that the dry weather's impact has so far been limited to two districts—Batticaloa and Monaragala—though water management efforts are also underway in the Bibile and Medagama areas of Monaragala District.
Nationally, Sri Lanka produces approximately 2.8 million cubic meters of water daily. According to the Chairman's breakdown, major reservoirs contribute 23 to 24 percent of this supply, while rivers and streams account for approximately 65 percent. The Kelani River alone supplies close to 600,000 cubic meters daily and represents nearly one-third of the country's total water supply, underscoring its critical role in the nation's water infrastructure.