Sri Lanka’s recent drought has affected over 600,000 people in almost all districts. According to the health authorities, the lack of rainfall could trigger several diseases in areas including Trincomalee, Kandy, Kalutara, Hambantota, Monaragala, Badulla, Anuradhapura, Jaffna, Mannar, Batticaloa and Ratnapura.

Extreme heat conditions are not only said to create dehydration in people but also spread germs and other diseases faster due to poor hygiene conditions as a result of water scarcity.

Outbreaks of diarrhoeal diseases are also expected in the future, and the health authorities are looking to prevent such outbreaks by ensuring a steady supply of safe water to the target population for washing, bathing and other functions.

Children, pregnant women and lactating mothers are at the highest risk due to a potential decline in nutrition levels caused by the absence of adequate food supplies.

Heat strokes too are common during drought periods and citizens are advised to take necessary precautions to stay away from direct sunlight during peak hours.