The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) says water supply in parts of the Batticaloa District has been restricted to four hours a day due to falling water levels at the Unnichchai Reservoir amid prevailing dry weather conditions.

NWSDB Chairman A.M.P.C.T. Bandara said water supply has to be suspended daily from around 11.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m. due to the declining water level at the reservoir.

However, he said water treatment plants operated by the NWSDB across the country are functioning as usual.

He added that arrangements have been made to produce and distribute water at maximum capacity from these treatment plants.

Sri Lanka produces approximately 2.8 million cubic meters of water per day, of which around 23% to 24% is obtained from major reservoirs, the NWSDB Chairman said.

Nearly 65% is sourced from rivers and streams, with close to 600,000 cubic meters obtained from the Kelani River alone.

He further noted that nearly one-third of the water supplied across the country is obtained from the Kelani River.

Meanwhile, Bandara said the impact of the prevailing dry weather has so far been limited to the Batticaloa and Monaragala districts.

He said water supply is also being managed in the Bibile and Medagama areas of the Monaragala District due to shortages in available water sources.