Sri Lanka, July 16 -- The Irrigation Department has urged farmers and the public to use irrigation and drinking water carefully as Sri Lanka faces a higher risk of drought and rising temperatures due to the expected El Nino weather pattern.

Director of the Water Management Division H.M.P.S.D. Herath told the Daily Mirror that the total water storage in the country's 80 major reservoirs currently stands at around 48 per cent.

He said the available water is expected to be sufficient for the ongoing Yala cultivation season, but authorities have prepared special water management plans to ensure priority water releases if dry conditions continue and affect the upcoming Maha season.

"The current water supply is enough for the Yala season, b...