On the directions of the Hon. N. Vethanayahan, Governor of the Northern Province, Rs. 0.5 million was allocated to the Delft Pradeshiya Sabha from the Criteria-Based Grant, and 13 tanks that had been neglected for a long time were de-silted using machinery and manual labour.
These tanks play a key role in storing rainwater during the rainy season and helping meet the water needs of the people during dry spells. However, they had been left without proper maintenance for many years. Under the Governor’s direction, funds were provided to the Delft Pradeshiya Sabha through the Department of Local Government, Northern Province these de-silting activities have been carried out.
In an island area like Delft, protecting water resources directly affects daily livelihoods and future water security. Previous studies show that the lack of fresh water is a major issue in Delft, with long droughts and saltwater intrusion placing extreme pressure on local water sources.
Therefore, the current de-silting activities not only helps preserve Delft’s traditional water sources, but also strengthens the local infrastructure to collect and hold more water during the rainy season.
Under this project, four temple tanks such as Neluvini tank, Otraippanaiyadi tank, Therkaattu Amman temple tank and Perukkadi tank were de-silted using machinery.
In addition, nine tanks i.e, Mudaliyaarkula tank, Saaraappitti tank, Koruvaandu tank, Vennaangkeni North, Vedichchaay tank, East Makki Kundu tank, Vellai and Aalamaavana Pillaiyaar temple tank were de-silted using manual labour.
With this, a total of 13 tanks has been de-silted, completing the basic steps to improve their water storage capacity.
This initiative to protect Delft’s water resources meets immediate local needs and creates better opportunities to effectively use available water during future droughts.
