Over 550,000 people affected by dry weather in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center (DMC) on Wednesday said the number of people affected by the severe dry weather across the island country had risen to over 550,000.

In a statement, the DMC said that as of Wednesday noon, 567,662 people belonging to 159,123 families had been affected by the dry weather and drought and steps were being taken to provide them with clean water for basic necessities.

Assistant Director of the Disaster Management Center Pradeep Kodippili said that officials were continuing to send water bowsers into the areas to supply fresh water to the families.