Sri Lanka, Jan. 9 -- In the wake of Cyclone Ditwah, more than 177,000 people are currently living in the homes of relatives and friends, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).

The DMC said 177,423 people from 52,194 families are staying with relatives, friends or in other locations, often sharing a single house after losing or being unable to return to their own homes.

In addition, 19,340 people from 6,074 families are still residing in 205 relief centres, mainly in the hardest-hit areas where conditions remain unsafe.

According to the DMC, the adverse weather conditions, which began on November 16, have affected 258,967 individuals from 77,793 families islandwide.

The disaster has caused widespread destruction to housing ...