Severe dry weather has created a shortage of water in Batticaloa District which has affected 20,000 families.

The Disaster Management Centre has started transporting drinking water to the affected areas, District Secretary (Ms) P.S.M. Charles stated.

However, people complain that the water supplied is inadequate to meet their needs, our reporter said.

Vavunathivu, Kokkadicholai, Vellaveli, Kiran and Chenkaladi are among the seriously affected areas in the District.