Sri Lanka, Aug. 18 -- Amidst predictions that Sri Lanka will have to face severe dry weather in the first quarter of 2027 due to the El Nino phenomenon, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) is taking steps to strengthen the groundwater section in addition to the surface water, NWSDB Chairman Chandana Bandara said yesterday.

He said according to the weather forecasts, it is predicted that February, March and April in 2027 will get very dry and that the water board is taking special measures to face any water shortage.

Mr Bandara said extracting groundwater is one alternative solution and that the NWSDB is creating more tube wells these days.

He said the NWSDB alone cannot face the situation, adding that a joint programm...