Death toll from Cyclone OKHI rises to 13 in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Cyclone OKHI which hit Sri Lanka earlier in the week has risen to 13 while five people are still missing, the Disaster Management Center said on Saturday.

In its latest report, the center said 56 people were injured from the strong winds and heavy rains which lashed out across the country on Wednesday night, while over 77,000 people have also been affected.

Over 1,100 families have been evacuated to safer locations due to the threat of floods and landslides.

Rescue and search operations are still ongoing in many areas across the island with the help of tri forces, the Red Cross and disaster management teams.

More rains however are expected with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society's Disaster Management center saying that another possible storm could impact the Eastern and Northern parts of Sri Lanka in the coming week.

It said disaster response teams in these provinces have been put on alert and steps will be taken to assist people who would be impacted.

The Department of Meteorology, in its latest weather update said that Cyclone OKHI was now located about 850 km to the west of the island and was moving further away from Sri Lanka.

Hence its effect to the country was expected to lessen gradually but heavy rain falls could be expected at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in the Puttalam districts.

Fairly strong gusty winds up to 50 km per hour could also be expected in the Western, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces. Enditem