Torrential rains and floods triggered by Cyclone Ditwah have killed 123 people across Sri Lanka so far, with another 130 still missing, the Disaster Management Centre said Saturday.

Director General Sampath Kotuwegoda said relief operations were underway with 43,995 people moved to state-run welfare centres after their homes were destroyed in the week-long heavy rains.

The weather system was moving away from the island towards neighbouring India but it has already left massive destruction, the DMC said.

"Relief operations with the help of the armed forces are underway," Kotuwegoda told reporters in Colombo.

The effects of the weather system have been felt since Monday, although the cyclone made landfall on Wednesday, triggering record rainfall across the island.

The flooding situation

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