Sri Lanka water shortage hits 115,000 as El Nino-driven dry spell worsens

Colombo,UPDATED: Sep 8, 2026 15:10 IST

More than 115,000 people in Sri Lanka are facing drinking water shortages as dry weather has intensified in parts of the island amid high temperatures, scant rainfall and emerging El Nino conditions, officials said on Tuesday.

The Disaster Management Centre said 115,586 people across seven of Sri Lanka's 25 administrative districts have been affected by the weather pattern. Meteorology Department Director General Ajith Wijemanna said an El Nino condition was developing and could be contributing to the prevailing weather pattern.

El Nino is a periodic warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean that can alter temperature patterns across the region. Its development is being closely monitored for its possible impact on Sri Lanka as the dry spell continues. Experts said the island nation, surrounded by the Indian Ocean, is likely to feel the effect more intensely.

In a press release, the Disaster Management Centre said the severe heat and lack of rainfall had affected many areas, creating serious challenges for water availability. DMC official Pragith Danansuriya said 115,534 people are currently affected by the shortage of drinking water.

In the north-central Anuradhapura district, the water level in the Eruwewa reservoir, which has a capacity of about 3,500 acre-feet, has fallen to around 1,000 acre-feet, irrigation officials said. Water levels have also declined in areas including Matale in the central region and Nandikadal in the northeast, officials said.

The prolonged dry conditions are also affecting aquatic life and wildlife. Thousands of small fish have been found dead in the Mullaithivu lagoon in the northeast, with officials attributing the deaths to the mixing of seawater and freshwater. Natural water sources are drying up in several areas, forcing wild animals to move in search of alternative sources of water.

The drought has also hit agriculture, with crops including paddy, coconut, banana and guava suffering damage due to the lack of water. Wijemanna said some rainfall could be expected from the end of September, offering hope of relief from the current conditions.

Overall, the dry spell linked to emerging El Nino conditions has disrupted water supply, lowered reservoir levels, harmed wildlife and fish, and damaged crops across parts of Sri Lanka, with officials now looking to expected rainfall later this month for relief.

With PTI Inputs

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