A total of 115,534 people across 35 Divisional Secretariat Divisions in seven districts have been affected by prevailing dry weather conditions attributed to the El Niño weather pattern, according to the National Disaster Relief Services Centre (NDRSC).

Drinking water is currently being distributed to 113,354 people from 34,608 families across 34 Divisional Secretariat Divisions.

Monaragala is the worst-affected district, with 41,360 people from 12,732 families across eight Divisional Secretariat Divisions affected by the dry weather.

Meanwhile, drinking water is being provided to affected communities in Batticaloa, Badulla, Ampara, Polonnaruwa, Ratnapura and Anuradhapura districts.

Disaster management authorities are continuing to coordinate relief efforts and ensure the uninterrupted supply of drinking water to affected people.