Sri Lanka: Nationwide water shortages possible as of April 8

Event

The Sri Lankan National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) announced April 7 that nationwide water shortages could occur in the coming days due to dry weather conditions. Officials are advising residents to restrict nonessential piped water use until further notice.

Residents have relied on private water suppliers during previous water shortages. Some business disruptions are possible, especially for companies that depend on large quantities of municipal water to maintain operations. Outages and low-pressure supply may periodically disrupt municipal water supply in the coming days, especially in urban centers with high water usage like Colombo.

Advice

Stock up on drinking water in advance. Confirm alternative water supplies for business operations. Pressure and water quality may be poor after service resumes; run taps for several minutes before using water. Use only bottled water from reputable suppliers for drinking and hygienic purposes.

Resources

National Water Supply and Drainage Board