El Niño Worsens Drought, Threatening Crops and Child Health in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is grappling with an intensifying dry spell attributed to the El Niño phenomenon, impacting a significant portion of its population. The Disaster Management Centre reports that as of August 27, over 84,500 individuals from 26,457 families have been affected, with districts like Monaragala, Ampara, and Polonnaruwa facing severe consequences. Ongoing efforts include distributing drinking water to approximately 75,700 individuals from 24,144 families. The drought has resulted in destruction of vital crops, while experts warn of a severe malnutrition risk for children under 17 if essential welfare provisions are not promptly delivered.