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| Flooding in Sri Lanka (Xinhua News Agency) |
According to the Disaster Management Centre, more than 400,000 people have been affected by the severe rains and strong winds that started on 24 May, 2017.
The recent flooding is the worst to hit the island since May 2003, when 250 people were killed and 10,000 homes destroyed. More than 600,000 people are currently temporarily homeless after the landslides and floods hit Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan Government has appealed for international assistance. India has sent three naval ships carrying relief supplies. China, the United States and Pakistan have also provided assistance.
The United Nations Migration Agency (IOM) has deployed rapid assessment teams in Ratnapura, Galle, Matara and Kalutara districts.
Severe weather warning continues
Severe weather warnings continue for Sri Lanka as the Department of Meteorology has issued a weather advisory for strong wind and rough sea areas.
The sea area off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambanthota and the sea area off the coast extending from Batticaloa to Mullaithivu via Trincomaleecan be very rough at times as the wind speed can increase up to 70 kmph at times.
Similarly, strong winds are expected over the Southern province and Matale, Trincomalee and Polonnaruwa districts.
Severe cyclonic storm mora caused widespread impacts across Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Northeast India. In Bangladesh, severe cyclonic storm mora killed nine people in southwest districts.