A new hotline has been introduced by the authorities for those affected by the drought which is prevalent in seven districts of the country.

People in villages affected by the drought could contact the 117 hotline to obtain water bowsers for their areas. The Disaster Management Centre says over 200,000 people have been affected by the prevalent drought.

Water facilities will be supplied to those affected based on requests made by district secretaries.Village locals in Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Polonnaruwa, Anuradhapura and Monaragala are compelled to travel for miles on foot in search of water.

According to the News 1st provincial correspondent Nayana Kumara, the Kawdawa water stream which has not dried up for over 200 years,  has now dried up. He also reported that the locals of Thanamalwila, Sevanagala, Wellawaya, Kataragama, Medagama and Bibila in the Monaragala District sustain their water requirements from small water sources.

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