Nearly 82,000 people across seven Sri Lankan districts are struggling to access drinking water due to dry weather conditions, with authorities warning the situation may deteriorate further.
The National Disaster Relief Services Centre reports that approximately 81,929 individuals from 25,647 households across 24 Divisional Secretariat divisions in seven districts are currently unable to obtain adequate drinking water supplies. According to Senior Assistant Secretary Prageeth Danansooriya, the drought conditions affecting the country have created significant hardship in accessing this essential resource.
Monaragala and Batticaloa districts have emerged as the most severely impacted areas, though residents in Ampara, Badulla, Polonnaruwa, Hambantota, and Ratnapura are also experiencing shortages. To address the crisis, the NDRSC is coordinating relief efforts alongside District Secretariats and Divisional Secretariats to distribute drinking water to affected communities.
The government has already allocated funds to respective District Secretaries to facilitate these distribution efforts. However, officials anticipate the situation may worsen in coming days based on meteorological forecasts, and have indicated that additional financial resources will be released to District Secretaries as circumstances require.
Authorities have urged residents experiencing difficulties accessing drinking water or other essential services to contact their local Grama Niladhari or Divisional Secretary immediately to ensure assistance reaches those in need.