Over 81,000 affected by El Niño-linked dry weather

Over 81,000 individuals across seven districts in Sri Lanka have been impacted by the dry weather conditions exacerbated by the El Niño weather pattern, according to the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC). The crisis has led to severe drinking water shortages in the affected areas, prompting the NDRSC to release guidelines for District and Divisional Secretaries to provide relief to those in need.

Senior Assistant Secretary Prageeth Danansooriya revealed that 81,605 people, residing within 25,563 families in 22 Divisional Secretariat areas, have been directly affected. The districts grappling with the consequences are Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Badulla, Monaragala, Hambantota, and Ratnapura.

To address the increasing water shortages, the government has raised the daily water allocation from 6 to 15 liters per person. A total of 324 water bowsers have been deployed to supply water to the affected communities, with more bowsers, operated by local authorities and security forces, poised to be deployed as required.

A specialized committee, consisting of the Divisional Secretary, Medical Officer of Health, Public Health Inspector, and disaster relief officials, has been tasked with assessing water needs and devising distribution strategies in each impacted region. The government has also allocated Rs. 4.8 billion from the national budget to assist with disaster relief efforts stemming from the dry weather and any subsequent heavy rainfall.

Residents facing drinking water shortages are encouraged to promptly contact their local Grama Niladhari officers for assistance.