El Niño affects over 161,000 people across eight districts in Sri Lanka

A total of 161,451 people from 49,344 families across eight districts in Sri Lanka have been affected by El Niño weather conditions, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

The latest data report issued by the DMC this morning (September 12) said 36 Divisional Secretariat divisions across the country have been affected.

Drinking water distribution programmes are continuing for communities facing shortages in the affected areas.

According to the report, drinking water is currently being supplied to 141,312 people from 43,221 families living in all 36 affected Divisional Secretariat divisions.

The affected districts are Ampara, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Batticaloa, Matale, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa and Ratnapura.

Monaragala is the worst-affected district, with 42,429 people from 13,139 families impacted by the conditions.

The DMC said drinking water is being distributed to all affected people in Monaragala District.