TypeBrief
Subjects
- Agricultural water management
- Food Security
- Rainwater
- Water reservoirs
Languageen
Solutions
First half of 2019, total rainfall has been below average, despite the fact that June, July and the
first ten days of August experienced considerable rainfall, confined mostly to the South-Western
Regions. Meteorological forecasts suggest areas in the dry-zone are expected to remain dry
through to September.
Abnormally dry and moderate drought conditions remain in pockets of North, North-Western,
North-Central, Uva and Eastern Provinces. Focus must be placed on risk reduction, adaption
measures, and preparedness for drought response interventions; including integrated drought
resilience programs to promote improved drought resilience strategies from climate shocks.
Surplus Maha (2018/19) and Yala (2019) paddy production means there is no immediate food
shortage, and total rice availability is sufficient to meet demand until January 2020 (Department of
Agriculture). However, dry conditions and pest attacks in pockets of Kurunagala, Batticaloa,
Ampara, Puttalam and Trincomalee caused the destruction of 4,362 ha of paddy. This will not
have a major impact on overall paddy production, but will have adverse localised impacts.
Citation
International Water Management Institute; United Nations World Food Programme. 2019.Climate & Food Security Monitoring Bulletin 3rd Quarter 2019 (July – September). Colombo, Sri Lanka: International Water Management Institute (IWMI). United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). 5p.
Authors
- International Water Management Institute
- World Food Programme