COLOMBO, 31 May (BelTA - Xinhua) - The death toll in Sri Lanka's devastating floods and landslides reached 202 by Wednesday morning while 96 people were still missing, the Disaster Management Center said.
Sixty-three people were injured and seeking treatment in state hospitals while over 600,000 people have been affected.
Severe rains and strong winds which lashed out across Sri Lanka since Friday have caused major floods and landslides in many areas of the island with the worst affected being the southern district.
As water levels are receding, tri forces along with rescue teams have now launched a massive clean up operation in order to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
At least 83,200 people are seeking shelter in safe locations and many are unable to return to their homes due to fully damaged or partially damaged houses.
According to the World Health Organization, at least 16 hospitals in flood hit Sri Lanka have been evacuated fully or partially as facilities have been directly affected by the floods or exposed to landslides, a UN statement released in Colombo said Wednesday.
"With the increasing number of displaced people and lack of space in safe locations, temporary shelter and ensuring access to health services is needed. Disease surveillance and vector control is also a priority with the risk of communicable diseases," the statement said.
