Sri Lanka says it will speed up flood relief as death toll rises above 200

Feng Xue
By Feng Xue
May 31, 2017World News
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Sri Lanka is scrambling to speed up relief for people affected by floods, said the country’s Disaster Management Center on May 31. The country is experiencing the worst torrential rains in 14 years.

The death toll has risen above 200.

The Disaster Management Center said nearly 600,000 people are living in temporary shelters. This after 1,500 houses were destroyed and more than 7,500 homes damaged.

The government said it has set up 375 temporary shelters. More than 50,000 packets of dry rations have been distributed to those in need.

Foreign aid began arriving at the Colombo port with the latest shipment coming from Pakistan. The ship also carried a helicopter for relief distribution. India has also sent three naval ships with relief goods while three Chinese ships are expected on Thursday, June 1.

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