14th Session of the South Asian Climate Outlook Forum (SASCOF-14) –Summer Monsoon

Session& Climate Services Users Forum (CSUF)

22-23 April 2019

Hotel Himalaya, Nepal

Eng Janaki Meegastenna

Director of Irrigation (Riverine Mgt)

Irrigation Department

Sri Lanka

janakimeega@hotmail.com

Water Resources in Sri Lanka 103 River Basins

• Sri Lanka is highly a flood prone country. Flood experiences in almost all the river basins.

• 25 major river basins out of total 103 river basins are most vulnerable for the floods.

Irrigation Department - Sri Lanka

• Irrigation Department is responsible for flood forecasting, issuing early warning and planning & implementing flood mitigation measures.

• Seasonal Planning (Water availability at reservoirs, inflows forecast, diversions, cultivation extent, crop type, variety), Conducting pre seasonal Planning and seasonal planning meetings with participation of all stakeholders. (Officers & Farmers)

• Preparation of water issue calendars, conducting weekly WM committees, adjustments of water issues, monitoring progress

• Water sharing available with other sectors (drinking, wild life, environment, inland fisheries, power generation)

May 2016Floods and landslides of May 2016 resulted in damages

and losses of about LKR. 105 billion and 493,319 people

were affected

Floods and landslides of May 2017 resulted in damages and losses of about LKR. 70 billion and 879,778 people affected.

2016 2017

The country is currently in the midst of its worst

drought in 40 years, with over 1.2 million people,

including 365,232 children directly affected and in

need of humanitarian assistance. This follows May

2016’s widespread flooding and landslides, caused by

Tropical Cyclone ‘Roanu’, that led to the loss of life

and widespread damage, displacing over 300,000 Sri

Lankan’s.

https://www.unicef.org/srilanka/media_10265.html

May 2018

• The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) of Sri Lanka confirmed that a total of 153,7122people in 19 districts have been affected and 20 people have died due heavy rains, strongwinds, lightning and landslides. Currently, 19,519 families have been evacuated into 339welfare centres. Puttalam, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Colombo, Kurunegala, Kalutara andKegalle are amongst the worst affected districts.

Malwatu Oya River Basin

Year 2019 MarchThe Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has initiated the pilot project to create artificial rains over the Maussakele reservoir today (22).Using an Y12 Sri Lanka Air Force plane, the chemical that induces rains was sprayed at 8000 feet above clouds over the Maussakelereservoir.According to a senior Air Force official, the aircraft which had left the Katunayake Air Base this morning, had released the chemical over the clouds at 8000 feet above the Maussakele reservoir for around 45 minutes.In response to a request made by the CEB, a team of special engineers from Thailand had arrived in the country to carry out this project.

Technical Approach

Year 2019 March

Traditional Approach

Year 2019 - April

As the heat wave progresses, with the sun directly being over Sri Lanka, temperatures up to 41 centigrade were recorded in some parts of the island.

Seasonal Forecast – Very important

• Before seasonal planning meetings and before start the water issues.

Yala – 2019

Water availability – around 50% of the reservoir capacity.

Crops selected – Paddy & OFC

Water issues started – First week of April and 3rd Week of April

Month of May 2019 ?????

Thank you.