Over 1.5 Million Affected From Disaster Islandwide; More Rain Expected With Monsoon

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Disaster Management Center says relief efforts are underway for 1,558,919 people affected by adverse weather.

A total of 232,752 people remain displaced, sheltered across 1,433 centres.

The death toll has risen to 465, while 366 people are still missing.

According to the Disaster Management Center, the Kandy District is the hardest hit, with 118 deaths and 171 people reported missing.

The disaster has caused significant property damage, with 783 houses completely destroyed and 31,417 partially damaged.

Meanwhile, all major rivers, including the Kelani River, have receded to normal levels, according to L.S. Suriyabandara, Director of the Hydrology Division of the Irrigation Department.

In a further update, the Department of Meteorology says the northeast monsoon will gradually establish across the island in the coming days, bringing increased rainfall from tomorrow, particularly in the Northern, North Central, Eastern, Uva, and Central provinces.