Colombo: More than 115,000 people across Sri Lanka are facing drinking water shortages as rising temperatures, limited rainfall and an emerging El Niño condition intensify dry weather in several parts of the island, officials said on Tuesday.

Meteorology Department Director General Ajith Wijemanna said an El Niño condition was developing and could be contributing to the prevailing weather pattern.

El Niño, a periodic warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, can influence temperature and rainfall patterns in different parts of the world. Sri Lankan authorities are closely monitoring its possible impact as the current dry spell persists.

Experts have warned that Sri Lanka, surrounded by the Indian Ocean, could experience the effects of the weather phenomenon more strongly.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said 115,586 people across seven of Sri Lanka's 25 administrative districts have been affected by the prevailing El Niño-linked weather conditions.

The combination of extreme heat and inadequate rainfall has disrupted water availability in several areas, creating serious difficulties for communities, the DMC said in a statement.

DMC official Pragith Danansuriya said 115,534 people are currently affected by drinking water shortages.

In the north-central Anuradhapura district, the water level at Eruwewa reservoir has dropped sharply. The reservoir has a capacity of around 3,500 acre-feet but currently holds only about 1,000 acre-feet, irrigation officials said.

Water levels have also fallen in several other areas, including Matale in the central region and Nandikadal in the northeast.

The prolonged dry spell is also taking a toll on wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. Thousands of small fish have reportedly died in the Mullaithivu lagoon in the northeast, with officials attributing the deaths to the mixing of seawater and freshwater.

As natural water sources dry up, wild animals in several areas are being forced to move in search of alternative sources of water.

The drought has also hit agriculture, damaging crops such as paddy, coconut, banana and guava because of inadequate water availability.

Wijemanna said some rainfall could be expected from the end of September, raising hopes that the prolonged dry conditions could ease. PTI