Sri Lanka, Dec. 10 -- A two-week programme to restore irrigation systems severely damaged by Cyclone Ditwah began today (9) in the Badulla District, aimed at ensuring water networks are fully functional ahead of the upcoming Maha cultivation season.

The Irrigation Department said 1,020 irrigation structures-including tanks, canals, bunds and anicuts-were affected by floods and landslides that swept through the district during the cyclone. The repair initiative, running from December 9 to 23, will cover 50 major work sites.

The restoration effort is being carried out as a large-scale joint voluntary operation involving personnel from the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Air Force, Special Task Force (STF) and the Civil Security Department.

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