Crop damage due to dry weather exceeds 60,000 acres

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Although the south-western parts of the island are currently experiencing heavy rains, dry weather continues in the Eastern, Northern, Northwestern, North-central, Uva, and Central provinces.

279,892 people are affected by these ongoing dry weather conditions.

The Disaster Management Center said that 20 districts in the country have been affected by the dry spell.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture and Agrarian Insurance Board says that more than 60,000 acres of paddy fields have been destroyed by the dry weather.

The Kurunegala district has been affected the most by the arid weather conditions.

Its chairman M.B. Weerasekera said that crop damage assessments are expected to be completed by the 15th of September.