The government has implemented a number of accelerated programs to provide concessions to 11,459 families affected by the prevailing drought.

Disaster Management Ministry said that it had allocated Rs. 1900 million to assist drought victims.

Pakistan has extended relief assistance worth one hundred thousand dollars to the drought hit people of Niger.

The government has taken steps to provide drought relief to people in the Anuradhapura district.

There are 234 constructions in the district violating the norms of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Act, Minister M K Muneer told the Assembly on Monday.

In admission of a severe drinking water crisis, the Karnataka government on Thursday declared 28 of 30 districts and 125 of 176 taluks drought-hit.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah explained to reporters here that the announcement of drought was preceded by a three-phase assessment conducted in October, December and February. On the action front, the government will take urgent steps to resolve the water crisis, ensure cattle fodder, and jobs for the people.

Queensland agriculture minister John McVeigh has criticised his federal counterpart Barnaby Joyce for the delay in the rollout of the $280m drought concessional loan package while 79% of his state

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that President Mahinda Rajapaksa had appointed a special committee to protect the farmers affected by drought.

The Supreme Court on Monday called for a report as to how many famine-stricken people of Thar had been provided relief and assistance so far.