Devastation strikes in North and East as dry weather affects over 440,000 people

Colombo (News 1st): More than 440,000 people have been adversely affected by dry weather conditions in the North and East of the country. People in Kiran, Batticaloa are facing an uphill struggle to locate clean drinking water under the present weather conditions as it has affected their cultivations as well. Farming is the livelihood of the people living in Kiran, however, the farmers have no water for agriculture and no water to even quench their thirst. With the wells in the area drying up and the lack of drinking water in the area, the situation has taken a turn for the worse. A team from News 1st visited Kulawali and Pallaththuchena villages today. The weather has resulted in a major blow to the dairy industry in the area as cattle continue to die due to the lack of water in the areas. Area residents have already abandoned over 275 acres of farmlands due to the lack of water for their agricultural activities. 8004 people of 2446 families have been affected by the arid weather in the Batticaloa District alone. The Disaster Management Centre put the number affected in the Eastern Province at 152,936. Over 190,264 people have been hit by the prevalent drought in the Northern Province.