Floods in Sri Lanka: 146 dead, 500,000 displaced

Rescuers were hard at work Sunday to try to distribute aid to half a million Sri Lankans displaced by the worst flooding on the island in 10 years, which killed at least 146 people.

A lull in precipitation has allowed the water level to drop in certain areas, opening up a window for the authorities to deliver vital aid to victims who have sometimes lost everything.

However, many villages were still under water on Sunday, officials said. Medical teams have been sent to the most affected areas to try to prevent the onset of diseases such as cholera.

“We have the expertise to deal with this type of situation,” said Sri Lankan Minister of Health Rajitha Senaratne. Heavy rains on Friday caused the worst landslides and flooding on the island in 14 years in the south and west of the island.

At least 146 people were killed, but the Disaster Management Center, an official Sri Lankan body, said at least 112 people were still missing on Sunday.

Rajitha Senaratne said most of the victims died in landslides. Half a million people have been displaced, he says. The NGO Save The Children estimated that a tenth of these refugees were children under five.

Sri Lanka called for international help

The army mobilized helicopters, boats and amphibious vehicles to assist the victims and distribute food and essential items.

Sri Lanka has also called for international assistance. India has notably dispatched a military vessel including, among other things, a medical team. A second was expected Sunday and a third Monday.

The United Nations has announced that it will send water containers and water purification tablets. World Health Organization (WHO) to deliver medicine to disaster areas. Pakistan is in discussions with Colombo on how best to help.

This is the worst flooding in Sri Lanka since May 2003, when 250 people were killed and 10,000 houses destroyed by particularly heavy monsoon rains.

Aishwarya Yogeshwar

Aishwarya Yogeshwar is the visionary founder of CGI Jaffna, a pioneering organization dedicated to fostering innovation and community growth in the Jaffna region. With a deep passion for news publishing, Aishwarya combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a keen interest in delivering impactful and engaging stories. Her commitment to creating a platform for reliable news and meaningful discourse reflects her dedication to empowering communities through knowledge and information. Aishwarya’s leadership and innovative approach make her a driving force in the world of media and communication.

See author's posts