The number of people affected by Sri Lanka’s prevailing dry weather has risen to 68,041, the Disaster Relief Services Centre said.

Spokesperson and Senior Assistant Secretary Prageeth Dhanansuriya said the affected population is spread across 17 Grama Niladhari divisions in the Batticaloa, Ampara, Monaragala and Ratnapura districts, NewsFirst reported.

Monaragala accounts for the largest share by a wide margin, with 31,647 people affected — close to half the national total.

Relief under way

Dhanansuriya said steps have already been taken to supply drinking water to 12,291 of those affected, and that further assistance has been arranged in coordination with local government authorities.

Heat advisory for seven districts

The Department of Meteorology has warned that hot weather conditions prevail in the Vavuniya, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Batticaloa, Ampara and Monaragala districts, with the temperature felt by the human body expected to reach caution levels in parts of those districts during the day, according to Hiru News.

The department advised the public to avoid strenuous outdoor activity, drink plenty of water, and rest in shaded areas where possible at worksites. It urged residents in affected districts to pay particular attention to young children, elderly people and those who are unwell.

Advisory extended into Saturday

The Met Department issued a further warm weather advisory on Friday afternoon covering the same seven districts, Ada Derana reported, saying the heat index is likely to rise to caution level at some places during the daytime on Saturday, August 15. Daily Mirror carried the same seven-district advisory.

The department said the heat index forecast is calculated from relative humidity and maximum temperature, and reflects what the body actually feels rather than the air temperature alone. At caution level, prolonged sun exposure and outdoor activity cause fatigue, and continued exertion can lead to heat cramps. Residents were again asked to stay hydrated and limit strenuous outdoor work.

Monaragala also recorded the country’s highest temperature on Thursday. The two outlets differ on the reading: NewsFirst reported 36.6 degrees Celsius, while Hiru News put it at 37.2 degrees. NewsFirst also listed 36.2 degrees in Trincomalee, 35.9 in Mullaitivu and 35.8 in Vavuniya.

The relief figures come as national reservoir storage fell to 37% of capacity, with the sharpest declines in the same eastern dry-zone districts. The Department of Irrigation has said reservoirs supplying drinking water remain unaffected.

Update, August 17: total rises to 70,828

The number of people affected has since risen to 70,828, from 22,759 families, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday, August 17, in figures reported by NewsFirst. That is an increase of 2,787 people on the August 14 count.

The same four districts remain affected — Ampara, Batticaloa, Monaragala and Ratnapura — with no new district added to the list. Monaragala is still the worst hit by a wide margin, its total up to 33,023 people from 10,264 families.

Water is now being delivered by bowser to 12,801 people facing drinking water shortages, up from 12,291 three days earlier. Officials said the dry spell continues to cause significant difficulty for residents, particularly in obtaining safe drinking water.

Note that the August 17 figures are attributed to the Ministry of Defence, while the August 14 count came from the Disaster Relief Services Centre, which operates under it.

Forecasters have since warned that the developing El Niño could become the strongest in 75 years, prompting the government to bring the Maha cultivation season forward by about two weeks.

Sources