Water scarcity rises in Sri Lanka and India amid low rainfall

Water scarcity concerns are rising across South Asia due to declining rainfall and falling reservoir levels. In Sri Lanka, the 74 major reservoirs across the island have dropped to approximately 36% of their total storage capacity. While reservoirs in the wet zone remain stable, those in the dry zone are experiencing significant declines. This poses a major risk to irrigation-dependent agriculture, particularly in the North Central, Northern, and Eastern provinces, which are vital for paddy cultivation.

In India, poor rainfall in the catchment areas of the Siruvani Dam in Kerala has forced the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board to reduce the daily drinking water supply to Coimbatore. The supply has been cut from 65 million litres a day to 55 million litres a day. The reservoir's water level currently stands at 26.7 feet, significantly below its full capacity of 50 feet, as monsoon rainfall has remained well below the levels required to replenish inflows.