The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) stated that 169,071 individuals from 51,959 families have been affected by the ongoing El Niño weather pattern impacting the island.

The prevailing dry weather conditions have affected 39 Divisional Secretariat Divisions across 10 districts.

Meanwhile, the DMC reported that measures have been taken to distribute drinking water to 142,219 individuals from 43,378 families affected by the dry spell in several districts.

The dry weather has affected the districts of Ampara, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Hambantota, Matale, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura, and Vavuniya, with Monaragala recording the highest number of affected individuals.

In the Monaragala District, 42,565 individuals from 13,062 families across seven Divisional Secretariat Divisions have been affected. The DMC noted that drinking water is currently being distributed to the affected areas in the district.

Additionally, 37,512 individuals from 11,792 families have been affected in the Matale District, where drinking water is being supplied to 18,273 individuals from 5,910 families in one Divisional Secretariat Division.

Furthermore, the DMC stated that 33,394 individuals from 11,143 families have been affected by the dry weather in the Batticaloa District, with drinking water currently being distributed to affected individuals across eight Divisional Secretariat Divisions.