COLOMBO, March 22 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government, on Friday, for the first time, successfully tested artificial rain in a drought-hit area to provide clean water for hundreds of families.

The Power and Energy Ministry, in a statement, said the Ceylon Electricity Board together with the Sri Lanka Air Force conducted the project, which caused rainfall for 45 minutes in the catchment areas of the Maussakelle Reservoir, in the Central Province.

A Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter was used to spray chemicals on the clouds, 8,000 feet above the reservoir, resulting in 45 minutes of rainfall.

"Observing the success of the pilot project which commenced today, Power and Energy Minister Ravi Karunanayake has instructed relevant authorities to take necessary measures to create artificial rains in the next few days until the dry weather exists in the country," the ministry said.

The pilot project was launched following assistance from a special team who had arrived in Sri Lanka from Thailand.

The ministry said the aim of the project is to create rains during the drought seasons.

Hundreds of families remain affected by months of severe drought due to lack of rains and delayed monsoonal rains in the central parts of Sri Lanka.