In El Nino-hit Sri Lanka, wells run dry and farmer incomes shrink as drought deepens

Sri Lanka is facing a worsening drought linked to a strengthening El Niño, with wells, reservoirs and farm water sources running critically low across several districts. Reuters reported Sept. 3 that some farming areas recorded rainfall deficits of 85% to 100% below long-term averages, while residents in remote communities waited as long as 23 days for trucked drinking water. The government has been supplying water to affected households and previously allocated 4.8 billion rupees, about $14 million, for distribution. The Disaster Management Centre reported 88,068 people affected across six districts on Sept. 2, while a Sept. 3 situation report cited by local reporting put the total at 96,056 people from 30,011 families. Farmers are losing crops and income; one Ampara farmer told Reuters he abandoned cowpea farming and turned to daily labor. Authorities are preparing for potentially heavy rains later this year, followed by renewed drought risks in early 2027.