Water supply disrupted by adverse weather to be restored within three days
Eng. A. M. P. C. T. Bandara, Chairman of the National Water Supply and Drainage Board, stated that measures have been taken to restore the water supply that has been disrupted in several districts due to the adverse weather conditions affecting the country, within three days.
Accordingly, acting on the instructions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, assistance has been obtained from the Tri-Forces, the Department of Irrigation, the Road Development Authority and the Ceylon Electricity Board to ensure the rapid resumption of water supply to consumers, the Chairman pointed out.
He made these remarks while joining a media briefing held yesterday (30) at the Defence Headquarters.
The Chairman further stated that the water treatment plants and pumping stations in several districts had been submerged due to the severe weather experienced in recent days, with significant damage reported in the treatment plants and pumping stations in the Kandy District.
He said that water supply has collapsed in Tissamaharama, Kataragama, Badulla, Bandarawela, Welimada, Ampara, North Central Province, Northern Province and the North Western Province, while water supply has already been fully restored, to 100%, in the districts of Galle, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa and Ratnapura.
He further noted that the main water sources in the Western Province, Ambatale, Labugama, Kalatuwawa and Biyagama, have not sustained any damage and the threat posed to the water treatment plants and pumping stations due to the overflow of the Kelani River has now subsided.
The Chairman also stated that water is being supplied to many affected areas through bowser assistance and that, with the support of the Tri-Forces, the Department of Irrigation, the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Road Development Authority; efforts are underway to restore the water supply to other affected areas. He added that, accordingly, it is expected that the water supply will be fully restored within the next three days.
