Over 60,000 in distraught due to dry weather

COLOMBO (News 1st): Over 600,000 are currently distraught due to the prevailing dry weather in the Northern and Eastern regions of the country. The Disaster Management Centre states that the over 200,000 persons of the Northern province are badly affected. Further, over 100,000 people from the Eastern province and over 63,000 people of the North Eastern province have been affected by the weather. The Assistant Director of the DMC, Pradeep Kodippili states that water has been supplied by bowsers for the areas facing shortages of water. The Irrigation Department states that the water levels of nearly 73 main water bodies under the department has reduced to 17%. Over 14,000 rivers under the Agrarian Development Department have dried up while the water level of many water bodies of the Mahaweli system are also at a very low level.