Severe weather

More than 20,500 Sri Lankan military personnel have been deployed for nationwide disaster-relief operations in response to severe flooding and landslides caused by cyclone Ditwah, which made landfall early Friday, the country's army said.
Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, commander of the Sri Lanka Army, said the military has activated a central operations center to coordinate rescue, relief, and information-sharing efforts across affected districts. So far, a total of 3,490 people have been rescued and relocated.
He said the operations center has been fully operational since Wednesday evening and is working closely with the Navy, Air Force, Police, and the Disaster Management Center.
Rodrigo said the Sri Lanka Army, Navy, and Air Force will jointly manage the provision of meals for displaced families, while relief centers located near military bases will receive direct support from the respective service branch.
The death toll in Sri Lanka related to the cyclone currently stands at 56.
The Department of Meteorology said heavy rains will continue till Sunday.