Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Small is beautiful but not enough
By Damitha Hemachandra & Athula Bandara
Scattered rains in the Moneragala, Hambantota and Anuradhapura districts ended the long spell of drought but the Meteorology Department said it was too early for the people to rejoice as monsoon rains could not be expected till September 20.
"The scattered showers were not heavy enough to fill up the dried out tanks in the area," a Meteorology Department official said.
He said the inter-monsoon rains in the drought-stricken areas would start only towards the end of the South-Western Monsoon.
" However, continuous rains, which could end the ill-effects of the long drought would come only after October," the official said.
The long drought has affected about 95% of the paddy cultivation in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Moneragala, Kurunegala, Puttalam and Hambantota areas, he said.
Meanwhile, expectations are high in the North Central Province after it experienced short bursts of rain following the chanting of pirith at the Ruwanveli Se Maluwa.
"Many people have already started their chena cultivation with the first rains," the Anuradhapura Divisional Secretary said.
However the situation is yet to improve despite the promise of rain. Water is still being distributed by bowsers in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa city limits while most of the farmers are still dependent on government provided dry rations and drought relief.
Scattered rains in the Moneragala, Hambantota and Anuradhapura districts ended the long spell of drought but the Meteorology Department said it was too early for the people to rejoice as monsoon rains could not be expected till September 20.
"The scattered showers were not heavy enough to fill up the dried out tanks in the area," a Meteorology Department official said.
He said the inter-monsoon rains in the drought-stricken areas would start only towards the end of the South-Western Monsoon.
" However, continuous rains, which could end the ill-effects of the long drought would come only after October," the official said.
The long drought has affected about 95% of the paddy cultivation in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Moneragala, Kurunegala, Puttalam and Hambantota areas, he said.
Meanwhile, expectations are high in the North Central Province after it experienced short bursts of rain following the chanting of pirith at the Ruwanveli Se Maluwa.
"Many people have already started their chena cultivation with the first rains," the Anuradhapura Divisional Secretary said.
However the situation is yet to improve despite the promise of rain. Water is still being distributed by bowsers in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa city limits while most of the farmers are still dependent on government provided dry rations and drought relief.
