4362 hectares of paddy destroyed due to drought

Colombo (News 1st): The Department of Agriculture states that 4362 hectares of paddy in the Yala season have been destroyed due to the drought. The Chief Meteorologist in the Department Dr Ranjith Punyawardana stated that over 500,000 hectares of paddy have been cultivated under 72 major reservoirs. In addition, 68,735 hectares of paddy and 6468 hectares of additional crops have been cultivated with water obtained from 272 central reservoirs. Punyawardana added that the harvesting of Yala season has commenced. He said that due to the lack of adequate water supply, the commencement of cultivation in the next Maha season is at risk.