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.
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.
