Dry Zone
Quick Summary
The Dry Zone is a region in Sri Lanka characterized by distinct climatic and hydrological patterns. Unlike the Wet Zone, which receives abundant and consistent rainfall, the Dry Zone experiences significantly less precipitation, typically ranging from 30 to 70 inches annually, primarily during the northeast monsoon season from November to January. This lower rainfall often leads to prolonged droughts, sometimes lasting over three months.1
Historically, the Dry Zone was the site of a flourishing hydraulic civilization that relied on an elaborate irrigation system. However, factors such as depletion of state treasuries and the breakdown of this irrigation infrastructure led to its collapse. This resulted in population shifts towards areas with more reliable rainfall, transforming the once-cultivated lands into overgrown jungle and dried-up tank beds. Despite these challenges, the Dry Zone remains a crucial area for agriculture, with major rivers like the Mahaweli providing vital irrigation for drier parts of the country.234
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Sri LankaDrainage…varied flow than the other Dry Zone rivers and so is a major asset for irrigation in the drier parts of the country (the Dry Zone includes the northern part of the country and much of the east and southeast; see below).
Read More…varied flow than the other Dry Zone rivers and so is a major asset for irrigation in the drier parts of the country (the Dry Zone includes the northern part of the country and much of the east and southeast; see below).
Read More- Sri LankaAgriculture, forestry, and fishing
…the colonization schemes of the Dry Zone (including those of the Mahaweli Development Program launched in the early 1970s) and, second, the adoption of yield-increasing technology. Other important changes in peasant agriculture during postindependence times included diversification of production as well as increased commercialization of production transactions.
Read More…the colonization schemes of the Dry Zone (including those of the Mahaweli Development Program launched in the early 1970s) and, second, the adoption of yield-increasing technology. Other important changes in peasant agriculture during postindependence times included diversification of production as well as increased commercialization of production transactions.
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