More than 81,000 people across seven districts are facing the effects of the prevailing dry weather, with growing concerns over access to drinking water, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.

The DMC said 81,865 people from 25,628 families in 23 Divisional Secretariat Divisions have been affected by the conditions linked to the El Niño phenomenon.The situation has been particularly serious in Monaragala, where 33,023 people from 10,264 families have been affected across seven Divisional Secretariat Divisions.Batticaloa has also reported a significant impact, with 28,523 people affected across eight Divisional Secretariat Divisions.In Ampara, 8,783 people have been affected, while 7,882 have so far been provided with drinking water. Badulla, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura and Hambantota have also reported affected communities.

The DMC said drinking water is currently being distributed to 72,153 people, while relief operations continue in the affected areas.The figures highlight the growing pressure on communities as dry conditions persist, particularly in areas already vulnerable to water shortages.Authorities say necessary relief measures, including drinking water distribution, are continuing under the direction of the National Disaster Relief Services Centre.