Intense rainfall in Sri Lanka has complicated recovery efforts in the wake of a powerful cyclone last week that killed hundreds and left tens of thousands displaced, according to officials.

More than 130mm (5.1 inches) of rain poured down in southern Sri Lanka over 15 hours on Thursday, said local authorities, with more heavy downpours expected across southern and southwestern areas on Friday.

The continuing deluge has made cleanup and reconstruction operations difficult after Cyclone Ditwah – triggering the worst floods in a decade – left the island on Sunday.

The cyclone killed at least 486 people, damaged more than 50,000 homes and pushed 170,000 people into relief centres, according to the country’s Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and local officials. There are 341 people still

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