At least 800,000 persons have been affected by arid weather across the country with the Disaster Management Center announcing that it has affected persons from sixteen districts.

Persons residing in two separate areas are facing a severe crisis in obtaining drinking water.

Around 400 persons from the Dampitiya, Wegama and Ethala-Watte villages in the Kurunegala district are facing an issue in gaining access to clean drinking water.

Many, water springs have dried up due to the dry weather, leaving the locals with only this well (please see video) to obtain water to quench their thirst. Also, as there is no water source, the farmlands in these areas have been destroyed.

People in the areas of Suduwathura Aara and Belagalalanda in Monaragala are also facing difficulties in obtaining water for consumption.

The Department of Meteorology predicts that rains would increase in the southern parts of the country, with spells of showers to be experienced in the Eastern and Uva Provinces and the Hambantota District.

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