Over 169,000 affected by dry weather across 10 districts: DMC

More than 169,000 individuals from over 51,000 families across 10 districts have been affected by the ongoing dry weather conditions caused by the El Niño weather pattern, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

The DMC reported that a total of 169,071 people belonging to 51,959 families in 39 Divisional Secretariat Divisions are currently impacted by the severe dry spell. In response, authorities have initiated emergency measures to distribute drinking water to 142,219 individuals from 43,378 affected families across the impacted regions.

The dry weather conditions have hit the districts of Ampara, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Hambantota, Matale, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura, and Vavuniya. Monaragala has recorded the highest number of affected residents, with 42,565 individuals from 13,062 families affected across seven Divisional Secretariat Divisions, where drinking water distribution operations are actively underway.

In the Matale District, 37,512 individuals from 11,792 families have been impacted by the drought. The DMC noted that clean drinking water is currently being supplied to 18,273 individuals from 5,910 families within one Divisional Secretariat Division. Meanwhile, in the Batticaloa District, 33,394 individuals from 11,143 families have been affected, with water distribution efforts currently covering eight Divisional Secretariat Divisions.