115,534 People Affected by Drought

08-Sep-2026

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A total of 115,534 people in 35 Divisional Secretariat divisions across seven districts have been affected by the severe drought conditions prevailing in the country, the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC) said.

According to a report issued by the NDRSC, drinking water is currently being supplied to 113,354 people belonging to 34,608 families affected by the drought.

Water distribution operations are being carried out in 34 Divisional Secretariat divisions.

Monaragala is the worst-affected district, with 41,360 people from 12,732 families across eight Divisional Secretariat divisions affected by the drought.

Drinking water is also being supplied to 33,394 people in Batticaloa and 20,418 people in Badulla.

Water distribution programmes are also being implemented for affected communities in Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura and Anuradhapura districts.

The prevailing dry weather conditions have reportedly been linked to the El Niño climate phenomenon. Disaster management authorities continue to take measures to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supplies to communities affected by the drought.