Drought effects are felt islandwide

Reports of the effects of the drought are emerging from almost every part of the country. So far, Hambantota has taken centre stage in the crisis; and perhaps, rightfully so because of the human suffering involved. But the failure of the monsoons has brought about an equally grave crisis, which has been suppressed perhaps due to the guilt involved in ignoring the humane aspects of a natural disaster. 

An entire nation without power is hard to imagine. But that is exactly what the headlines in the local newspapers indicate. Some of the headlines in the past month included: Get used to long power cuts: CEB and Hydro-power only for 20 days more. The lack of rains is drying up the reservoirs. For a country that generates most of its power requirements through hydropower, this could spell disaster. 

Indications of this problem were the first to be noticed even before the effects of the drought in Hambantota. Early August when the government decided to have one and a half hour power cuts, everyone felt it no doubt. But this happened in ’96 as well. Unofficial reports said that the power cut might go on until November. But these reports weren’t expected to hold true. 

But on August 29^th, the government extended the power cut to two and a half hours. Perhaps the situation in the south has kept attention away from the power crisis. But as it hits the homes of every Sri Lankan, it is increasingly hard to ignore. Perhaps the reason for disregarding the severity of this crisis is the fact that no one really wanted to believe it would ever come to this. But the reality is that the possibility of a nationwide blackout is far too near than it should ever be.

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