News
Drought: There’s not a drop to drink
People in Puttalam are struggling to get potable water. The failure of the monsoon rains has posed a serious threat to the agricultural sector as well as to people in most areas.
While Government claimed it had taken measures to provide relief to those affected, our photographer recorded a different story.
The problem has reached such proportions that people of these areas have to buy water from private sellers.
“The drought is so severe we don’t have water to drink, wash or for any other purpose. The water available to us is water brought by private sellers in bowsers,” said R.M. Somalatha from the area.
Our camerman recorded pictures of how these people are forced to buy water from private sellers.As if this problem was not enough, the people now face another serious issue.”We don’t know if the water brought in, in these bowsers is pure. Our children drink this water and we are concerned about its purity.
“There are around 6,000 families in my area (Udappuwa) who rely entirely on water brought by bowsers” said Selamma Kalimuttu from Udappuwa. “We are waiting till the government does something about this issue because a number of people cannot afford to pay for water,” she said.
 A woman with cash in her mouth waits for water to be measured out |
 A woman pays for her pot of water |
 A long line of receptacles... waiting for the promised government relief? |
 This one pot is all I can afford |
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