India sends water, rice as Sri Lanka faces severe drought

As Sri Lanka is facing the worst drought in 40 years, India has provided an emergency assistance of water and rice to the Island country.

The commitment to donate eight water bowsers and 100 metric tons of rice as immediate assistance for drought relief was made by Foreign Secretary of India Dr. Jaishankar on behalf of Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj to Minister of Foreign Affairs Mangala Samaraweera, during his recent visit to Sri Lanka in February.

The Indian Government has already handed over eight water bowsers to the Sri Lankan authorities and the consignment of rice would be delivered soon.

“In response to a request from the Government of Sri Lanka for drought relief assistance, Government of India has announced the decision to provide eight water bowsers and 100 metric tons of rice to Sri Lanka. The supply of these items is in the nature of emergency assistance to augment relief measures undertaken in the wake of severe drought faced by Sri Lanka,” Minister Swaraj told Parliament in a written statement.

Indian High Commissioner Taranjit Singh Sandhu handed over the lorry-mounted water bowsers to the President Maithripala Sirisena on 21 March.

“India has always been among the first to respond to requests from the neighboring countries in times of crisis. The current gifting of the water bowsers and rice is part of that policy,” Swaraj added.

Sri Lanka is suffering from one of the worst droughts with over a million people facing acute water shortages. The Island country has experienced prolonged dry season with some districts having 60-70% less rainfall. The local wells and reservoirs are running dry, New Indian Express reported.

The harvest of rice is going to be hit due to water shortage and the prospect of rice shortage later this year is looming large. The Sri Lankan Government has also taken a slew of measures to contain the fallout of the rice shortage. It has already waived off taxes on rice imports and is expected to increase rice imports to meet the demand at home.

Water shortage has also compounded problems for the energy sector of the country that depends on hydro-power.