Drought ravages countryside:

Hunt for water

Story and pictures by K. Priyankara, Wanathavilluwa Group Cor.

The months-long drought ravaging the provinces has hit the Puttalam district worst. One of the drier regions of the island due to its low annual rainfall, the Puttalam district, nevertheless had an efficient system of irrigation in place to save water usually comes with the monsoon rains to meet agriculture demands. Not this year, however, when the South West Monsoon failed across the country and even drinking water supplies are now low.

The drought has caused a serious impact on the lives of people in the Puttalam area. The scarcity of drinking water has driven people to venture miles beyond their localities.

The worst affected areas are Puttalam, Wanathawilluwa, Karuwalagaswewa, Navagaththegama, Anamaduwa, Maha Kumbukkadawala, Mundalama and Pallama out of 16 divisional secretariat divisions. The drought is so severe that it has virtually destroyed all cultivations - paddy, all sorts of crops etc. The distribution of drinking water by the authorities is far from satisfactory.

We found that most of the people are reluctant to speak about their misery as they fear they would be deprived of their Samurdi subsidy and other forms of drought assistance by the Grama Niladaris and other government officials.

The recent rains was of no relief to them. Attention of most people as well as the media has been mainly focussed on the dry zone, but the fact remains that the Puttalam district too has been seriously affected. The State officials in the district are not sensitive to their tragedy. The dairy industry too has been dealt a severe blow since milk production in the district has dropped by 75%.

There are over 1,000 dairies and around 20,000 milching cows in the area. According to livestock statistics only about 2-3 litres of milk could be obtained per day, dairy sources said.

Animals too have a tough time due to the drought. Herds of wild jumbos go in quest of water towards villages damaging its crops. Already around 50 acres of coconut land have been destroyed by the elephants. People hold poojas invoking the blessings of god for rains.

G.D. Premaratne, another villager said, "We do not have even a drop of water to drink apart from the need for other necessities. We appeal to the authorities to provide us water to quench our thirst."

H.P. Chandra Thilakasiri Thevanuwara, B.M. Jagath Thevanuwara, V.D.M. Subasinghe Thevanuwara, R.A. Nirmala Jayalal Thevanuwara, M.Gunaratne Menike Thevanuwara, R.M. Podimenike Thevanuwara, Y.M. Bisomenike Thevanuwara, A.M. Muthubanda Thevanuwara, Nandawathie Kumarihamy Thevanuwara, Dinesh Chaminda Thevanuwara, W.H. Gunawathie Thevanuwara, S.A. Nilanga Thevanuwara, G.A. Thusban Thevanuwara and V.A. Gunatilleke all of Maiyankulam said:

"We do not have even a drop of drinking water, let alone the need for washing. Officials have turned a blind eye to our misery. We are totally helpless. All village tanks have dried out. We are compelled to buy water due to inaction on the part of local welfare organisations.

"At times, it is muddy water that we are compelled to drink for want of drinkable water. If a water bowser could be made available, it would be a meritorious act. The Divisional Secretaries are not responsive to our tragedy. The threat posed by the marauding wild jumbos is intolerable."

Janaka Thushara Balasuriya, Divisional Secretary, Karuwalagaswewa:-

"The drought is not so acute that water is distributed for several Grama Niladari areas such as Rambawewa, Neligama, Murukkuatawewa, Karuwalagaswewa being given priority. Other villages when necessary will get water. Although small tanks have dried up, Thabbowa tank still has sufficient water. So far nobody has reported that his crops or cultivations have been affected by the drought. Neither have large numbers been reported as victims to the drought."

Nandana Somatilleke, Divisional Secretary, Wanathavilluwa:-

Responding to allegations, the D.S. says that 17 Grama divisions have been affected by the drought. We have an acute water problem. Water level in small tanks has dropped. No damage to cultivations has so far been reported, he said.

H.M. Chitranantha, District Secretary, Puttalam:-

"The drought has its impact on a number of areas in our district. We have launched a program to supply drinking water to Karuwalagaswewa, Wanathawilluwa, Pallama and Anamaduwa. Priority has been given according to Grama Niladari divisions. No large numbers have been reported as victims to the current drought probably due to the setting up of local water supply schemes.

We have already taken action to ensure supply of drinking water to the people in the district."

Queuing up for scarce water

Dying trees