September 15, Colombo (LNW): More than 163,000 people in 36 Divisional Secretariat areas have been affected by the continuing dry weather, with thousands of families also facing difficulties in obtaining adequate supplies of water.
Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa said 163,869 people belonging to 50,176 families had so far been impacted by the prolonged dry spell.
Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing at the Department of Government Information on Monday, the Minister said the shortage of water had emerged as one of the most pressing consequences of the prevailing conditions.
According to the latest assessment, 43,586 families among those affected are experiencing water shortages, increasing the need for continued emergency assistance in vulnerable communities.
Authorities have consequently stepped up the distribution of drinking water to affected areas. Jayatissa said supplies were currently being provided to 142,236 people from the affected households as efforts continued to ease the pressure created by the extended period of dry weather.
The Government is monitoring conditions in the affected Divisional Secretariat areas and maintaining emergency water distribution as the dry spell continues, with priority being given to communities facing the most acute shortages.
