Monsoon mayhem

A child being taken to safety in a flooded area in Kelaniya, Pethiyagoda yesterday - Pic by Kushan Pathiraja

By Chathuri Dissanayake

Heavy monsoonal rains created havoc yesterday with floods and landslides in several areas killing 91, while 110 are recorded missing, as authorities struggled to deal with the disaster situation in the country. 

Over 60,000 people belonging to around 16,000 families across 14 districts have been affected officials said, with warnings being issued to those who are living in low-lying areas along the banks of the Kelani River in Colombo and Gampaha.

The crisis situation forced the Parliament to suspend its session abruptly to enable MPs to rush to affected areas to oversee rescue and relief work. 

Out of the 14 districts affected, seven of the most populous - Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Ratnapura, Matara, and Kegalle - have been severely hit, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said.  

The Kalutara District has been worst hit with 13 cutting failures (cutting failures occur if existing gentle slopes are steepened or new slopes are created due to human activity) reported, causing 38 deaths, while 46 deaths were reported from Ratnapura.

According to available data, over 400 houses were destroyed by landslides and floods on Thursday caused by rainfall which is considered to be the heaviest since 2003. More rain is expected in the coming days with the arrival of the Southwest Monsoon.

Over 1,000 temporary shelters have been set up by the authorities to house the displaced due to the current situation.

However, the Government is still unable to assess the magnitude of the disaster due to a breakdown in communication and the situation deteriorating much faster than its response rate.

Acting Disaster Management Minister Dunesh Gankanda briefs the media yesterday. Agriciuture Minister Duminda Dissanayake and Parliamentary Reforms and Mass Media Deputy Minister Karu Paranawithana are also present - Pic by Samantha Perera 

“Some of our officers are also affected so we have not been able to get clear information about the situation from some areas,” Acting Disaster Management Minister Dunesh Gankanda explained.

The Government has deployed 300-man Army rescue teams, 21 Navy boats, 85 Navy rescue personnel and six helicopters to help with the rescue efforts. 

However, as the number of boats deployed for rescue efforts is insufficient, the Ministry has resorted to hiring boats to be deployed for rescue efforts, Disaster Management Centre Director General Rear Admiral A.P. Liyanage said.  

“Rescue teams are still struggling to reach pockets of people who are trapped as landslides and cutting failures have obstructed possible access points. Further, teams have been limited to airlifting victims in certain areas as they have been unable to navigate boats through narrow paths,” Disaster Management Ministry Secretary S.S. Miyanwala stated.

Warnings have been issued to people to evacuate areas which were also submerged in the floods that occurred in the country last year. In addition, the National Building and Research Organization has issued landslide warnings in eight districts.

The Irrigation Department is taking necessary measures to obtain a court order to remove those living along the Kelani river bund after issuing evacuation notices.  

After several people died in a landslide in the Bogahawatta area in Bulathsinhala yesterday, military personnel carried out a rescue operation at the site of Bellana village in Kalutara - Pic by Shehan Gunasekara

The Ministry has been allocated Rs. 45 million to be utilised for emergency operations.

“More funds will be released to deal with the aftermath of the floods. This amount is for any emergency expense that may come up,” Acting Minister Gankanda said.

Meanwhile, water supply to several areas was disrupted as the main supply line from Labugama, Kalatuwawa was damaged in Thummodara due to the collapse of a soil embankment, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board said.

Gankanda appealed to the public to help with the relief efforts coordinated by District Secretariats.