Several villages in Batticaloa have been facing a shortage in drinking water due to the ongoing drought in the region.
Virakesari reported that over 2,000 families in the Manmunai West division have had to travel long distances to get drinking water.
Some of the villages affected by the drought include Karavetti, Nediyamady, Thandiyadi, Gandhinagar and Unnichai.
The drought has also affected agriculture in the area, causing a depletion in crops and livestock productivity.
Locals have called on the authorities to ensure that they can easily access drinking water.
Earlier this month, the Disaster Management Centre, 75,165 people in the Northern province and 63,136 people in the Eastern province have been affected by the lack of drinking water due to the drought.
The drought has affected thousands of people in Mannar, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Ratnapura, Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Amparai and Puttalam.
