South-west monsoon fails to bring sufficient rainfall to hydropower reservoirs

The Meteorology Department says the re-activation of the south-west monsoon has not brought sufficient rainfall to the hydropower catchment areas.

The Department says the situation is not likely to change in the next few weeks.

Amongst the hydropower catchment areas, Norton had received the highest rainfall last week with only 3.5 mm while Lakshapana and Canyon had received a rainfall of 2.9 and 0.3 mm respectively. Castlereagh, Kotmale, Bowatenna and Victoria had not received any rainfall.

The hydropower reservoir storage stood at 23.4 % and the contribution to the power demand was only 13.3%.

According to the Meteorology Department, the south-west monsoon has brought rainfall to the Western, and Sabaragamuwa Provinces and the Galle and Matara districts.

However, the drought weather conditions in the North and North Central Provinces are still continuing.

Meteorology Department Director General S.H. Kariyawasam has said the North and North Central Provinces, which are two main agricultural areas, was unlikely to receive rains any time soon.

He has observed that significant rains could be experienced in the two provinces around mid-September, but would not be sufficient to address the water shortage in the area.

Rains to the provinces would be received only with the onset of the north-east monsoon during the latter part of the year.