A total of 154,167 people from 47,368 families across eight districts have been affected by the impacts of the El Niño weather phenomenon, according to the latest disaster situation report issued by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

Residents of 36 Divisional Secretariat Divisions have been affected by the weather phenomenon, the DMC noted.

As of 6:00 a.m. today (09), drinking water is being distributed to 132,748 people from 40,945 families across 35 Divisional Secretariat Divisions.

A total of 42,429 people from 13,139 families across eight Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Monaragala District have been affected. Drinking water is being provided to all affected families, according to the DMC.

A total of 37,512 affected people from 11,792 families in the Matale District. Drinking water is currently being supplied to 18,273 people from 5,910 families.

In the Batticaloa District, 33,394 people from 11,142 families across eight Divisional Secretariat Divisions have been affected.

A total of 20,418 people from 5,435 families across 10 Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Badulla District and 12,047 people from 3,794 families across three Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Ampara District and 6,842 people from 1,688 families across three Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Polonnaruwa District have also been affected due to the El Niño weather phenomenon. 

In the Ratnapura District, 1,374 people from 348 families across two Divisional Secretariat Divisions have been affected while in the Anuradhapura District 151 individuals from 30 families in one Divisional Secretariat Division have been affected, with drinking water being provided to all affected families.

According to the DMC, authorities are continuing relief efforts, particularly the distribution of drinking water, to communities affected by the El Niño-related conditions.