El Niño Affect 84,545 People Across Seven Districts

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The number of people affected by the prevailing El Niño conditions has risen to 84,545.

The Disaster Management Centre said people in seven districts have been affected by the prevailing dry weather conditions.

The highest number of people affected has been reported from the Monaragala District, with 11,074 people impacted.

Meanwhile, 9,547 people in Batticaloa and 2,823 people in Ampara have also been affected by the dry weather, according to the Disaster Management Centre.

In addition, people in several Divisional Secretariat areas of Badulla, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota and Ratnapura are facing water shortages due to the prevailing dry conditions.

The Disaster Management Centre said steps have been taken to provide drinking water to 75,734 affected people.

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology said the heat index, or temperature felt by the human body, is at a level requiring attention today in the Eastern Province, as well as in Polonnaruwa, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Monaragala districts.