(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Minister of Disaster Management Anura Priyadarshana Yapa says the general public in 16 districts are currently suffering without drinking water.
Speaking to media, Minister Anura Yapa said a drought which would affect several regions was predicted due to the lack of rain last year, including the drought in 2017.
The Minister said the severe situation the Disaster Management units expected however is not as severe due to intermittent rain is some areas.
However Minister Yapa said according to reports a large number of the population in 16 districts are suffering due to a lack of drinking water.
He said of the first of the districts affected is Kalutara, in which 43,000 families in 4 divisional secretariats, approximately 198,000 people were being provided with drinking water.
The Minister then noted of the second district affected which was Gampaha, 49,000 families in 8 divisional secretariats, near Ma Oya, 181,000 people were being supplied with drinking water.