India to assist drought-hit Sri Lanka
February 21, 2017 09:07 pm
India is to donate eight water bowsers or large tanks and 100 metric tons of rice to Sri Lanka, as part of drought relief for the island country which is headed for one of its worst droughts in 30 years.
The assistance was conveyed by Indian Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar who visited Sri Lanka from February 18-20, for bilateral discussions with Sri Lankan leaders.
Reservoirs in Sri Lanka are reported to be running at 30 per cent or less capacity.
According to a recent survey by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the government, the rains last year were 23 per cent less than the 30-year average.
The poor rains has also hit sowing. Of 800,000 acres, only a little above 300,000 was planted with the staple rice crop during the last harvesting season.
This is the lowest cultivation level experienced in Sri Lanka during the last thirty years, the WFP-government joint survey said.
Water bowsers are large water-filled tanks that can also be fitted on wheels.
-BS
-Agencies
