Continuous support to people affected by floods in Kalutara

Posted on Monday, June 2nd, 2014

09/06/2014 – Kalutara, Sri Lanka: The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society’s Kalutara Branch continues to provide relief support to people affected by floods despite the weather been improved. In certain parts of Kalutara flood waters continues to affect people as the water levels have not receded completely.

Over 120,000 people in 9 districts were affected by floods as monsoonal weather conditions brought in heavy rains to most parts of Sri Lanka. The weather was improving, however sporadic patches of rain was reported from time to time from various parts of the island.

As of now SLRCS has managed to provide NFRI to over 4000 people in Kalutara. Yesterday another set of kits were distributed in Paragoda GN in Bulathsinhala divisional secretariat and Serupita GN in Dodangoda divisional secretariat.

Meanwhile the Meteorological Department of Sri Lanka forecasts showers or thundershowers at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts and heavy falls (more than 75mm) are also likely at some places. Showers may extend to North-Western province too.

Thundershowers will develop at several places in the Uva, North central and Eastern provinces during the afternoon or evening.

Fairly strong winds can be expected along the western slopes of the Central hills at times. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.

General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize the damages caused by lightning activities.

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05/06/2014 – Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) in coordination with District Authorities are now carrying out assessments for early recovery needs of the people affected by floods in several districts.

The most important areas that is been focused is on providing access to safe drinking water, cleaning public places and ensuring living conditions are brought back to normalcy. SLRCS Branches in the affected areas are mobilizing volunteers to do the needful.

As of now 110,109 people living in 9 districts are affected by flash floods. 23 deaths were also reported. (For exact up to date figures for the number of deaths please contact the Police Media Unit).

Kalutara, Galle, Rathnapura, Gampaha, Kegalle, Colombo, Matara, Kurunegala and Nuwara-Eliya are the districts affected.

Meanwhile the Red Cross is also concern with regard to the possible rise of vector-borne and diarrheal disease soon after a flood situation.

“We have seen this time after time, soon after floods there’s a potential risk towards vector-borne and diarrheal disease” says Dr. Prithi Panditharatne, Health Specialist of Sri Lanka Red Cross.

“People who have experienced flooding in their surroundings should need to check for areas where water is stagnated and should clean it immediately, thus making sure that the surroundings does not become areas for mosquitoes to breed.”

The Red Cross also recommends the use of mosquito nets, and repellents specially during the first few weeks since a flood incident.

Meanwhile water contamination either by flood waters or other means will contain pathogens of diarrheal diseases which results in a high possibility of oral fecal contamination. Therefore it is recommended to consume safe drinking water at all times.

For more information please contact

 

Naveendra Senaratne – Media Coordinator
+94 773 171 087 / [email protected]

 

Mahieash Johnney – Senior Manager – Communications & Humanitarian Diplomacy
+94 773 502 156 / [email protected] | Twitter – @mahieash @SLRedCross

* Please note that the above data will keep changing as the situation develops.

04/06/2014 – Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has released over 1.7 million rupees worth of emergency assistance for people affected from flash floods brought in by incessant rains in Kalutara.

As of now 44,000 people living in 9 districts are affected by flash floods. 23 deaths were also reported. (For exact up to date figures for the number of death please contact the Police Media Unit).

Kalutara, Galle, Rathnapura, Gampaha, Kegalle, Colombo, Matara, Kurunegala and Nuwara Eliya are the districts affected.

Kalutara is the hardest hit area where 17,066 people being displaced due to the heavy rains. Roads and bridges are damaged which has hampered relief efforts.

Red Cross has also taken additional steps to distribute water purification tablets as clean drinking water is in short supply. Well cleaning and area cleaning area also underway by volunteers of the Red Cross as most of the clean water sources have been contaminated by flood waters.

As of now, non food relief items consisting of hygiene kits, baby hygiene, kitchen sets, clothes, lanterns, jerry cans, and mosquito nets have been distributed by the Red Cross in Kalutara. First Aid services were also provided to people with minor injuries.

Meanwhile water levels of several major rivers (Gin, Kalu, Walawe) are at spill levels and volunteers of Sri Lanka Red Cross were deployed to inform and evacuate families living in low lying areas of these rivers; if the need arises.

Director General of Sri Lanka Red Cross Tissa Abeywickrama said “Our volunteers have been the first responders assisting communities when a disaster like this happens. They are from these communities itself, hence its easy for them to rally together to help each other.”

The International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other Red Cross organizations are standing by to assist if the situation worsens.

For more information please contact

 

Naveendra Senaratne – Media Coordinator
+94 773 171 087 / [email protected]

 

Mahieash Johnney – Senior Manager – Communications & Humanitarian Diplomacy
+94 773 502 156 / [email protected] | Twitter – @mahieash @SLRedCross

* Please note that the above data will keep changing as the situation develops.

MEDIA ALERT

FLASH FLOODS, SRI LANKA | UPDATE 3 | 03 JUNE 2014 as at 12.00 PM

03/06/2014 – Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Kalutara Branch of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has deployed non food relief items (NFRI) to assist over 2000 people affected by the recent floods in the Kalutara District today.

These NFRI kits include hygiene kits, baby hygiene, kitchen sets, frocks, lanterns, jerry cans, mosquito nets, sarongs, tarpaulins, mats, bed sheets, candles and saris. Most of the people who were affected are housed in neighboring houses and our volunteers are working closely with Government and Disaster Management Officials to ensure about their welfare. Our mobile first aid units so far has treated 200 people with minor injuries, in Kalutara.

Meanwhile Red Cross volunteers have been deployed to ensure and inform people living closer to Gin, Kalu, and Walave rivers, alerting them of a possible burst of banks as the water is at spill levels.

Our teams are also working closely with the Government Agents and the Disaster Management Centre in coordinating the relief efforts.

Approximately around 8000 people area affected in the 3 districts of the island with 21 reported dead. (Please contact the Police Media Unit for the latest figures on the deaths from this natural disaster)

“The assistance we are providing will continue until the people have come out from this situation” says the Director General of Sri Lanka Red Cross, Tissa Abeywickrama.

The International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other Red Cross organizations are standing by to assist if the situation worsens.

The Meteorological Department of Sri Lanka forecasts heavy rains for most parts of the country with an warning of rough seas and severe winds.

For more information on Red Cross relief efforts  please contact

Naveendra Senaratne – Media Coordinator
+94 773 171 087 / [email protected]

Mahieash Johnney – Senior Manager – Communications & Humanitarian Diplomacy
+94 773 502 156 / [email protected] | Twitter – @mahieash @SLRedCross

* Please note that the above data will keep changing as the situation develops.

02/06/2014 – Colombo, Sri Lanka:

FLASH FLOODS, SRI LANKA | UPDATE 2 | 02 JUNE 2014 as at 05.00 PM

02/06/2014 – Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Kalutara Branch of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) has begun the distribution of non food relief items (NFRI) to over 1200 families in the Kalutara district who were affected by the flash floods experienced during the past 24 hours.

NFRI kits include hygiene kits, baby hygiene, kitchen sets, frocks, lanterns, jerry cans, mosquito nets, sarongs, tarpaulins, mats, bed sheets, candles and saris. These were distributed to families in Walalavita, Agalawatta and Matugama DS Divisions.

This was possible after Branch Disaster Response Teams (BDRT) & First Aid teams from our branches assessed the situations in Kalutara. Teams were also deployed in the Colombo & Gampaha districts as well.

Our teams are also working closely with the Government Agents and the Disaster Management Centre in coordinating the relief efforts.

Approximately around 7000 people area affected in the 3 districts of the island with 12 reported dead and 1 missing.

Agalawatta, Palindanuwara & Palawatta were submerged during the early hours of the day but water is receding.

The Director General of Sri Lanka Red Cross Tissa Abeywickrama said “ We are closely monitoring the situation currently at hand, and if the situation worsens as more rains have been forecasted, our teams will continue to assist”

The Red Cross currently holds the required relief items to support the affected in its warehouses, and will takes necessary steps if required more.

The International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other Red Cross organizations are standing by to assist if the situation worsens.

The Meteorological Department of Sri Lanka also forecasts heavy rains to continue in the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Ratnapura districts.

For more information please contact

 

Naveendra Senaratne – Media Coordinator

+94 773 171 087 / [email protected]

 

Mahieash Johnney – Senior Manager – Communications & Humanitarian Diplomacy

+94 773 502 156 / [email protected] | Twitter – @mahieash @SLRedCross

* Please note that the above data will keep changing as the situation develops

UPDATE 1 AS AT 11.00 AM – 02/06/2014 – The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) has currently mobilized Branch Disaster Response Teams (BDRT) & First Aid teams from our branches in Kalutara, Colombo & Gampaha in order to assist the people affected by the flash floods due to heavy rains experienced in the island in the last 24 hours.

According to latest details, over 3000 people area affected in 3 districts of the island with 9 reported dead and 3 missing.

Agalawatta & Palawatta areas in Kalutara has been submerged.

The Branch Disaster Response Teams will now asses the situations in the affected region and then coordinate the required support and assistance with the Government & Disaster Management Centre.

The President of Sri Lanka Red Cross Jagath Abeysinghe said “ We are doing everything possible to ensure that people affected are taken care of and that the necessary support is provided”

The Red Cross currently holds the required relief items to support the affected in its warehouses, and will takes necessary steps if required more.

The International Federation of Red Cross & Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other Red Cross organizations are standing by to assist if the situation worsens.

The Meteorological Department of Sri Lanka also forecasts heavy rains to continue in the Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Galle, Matara and Ratnapura districts.

For more information please contact

 

Naveendra Senaratne – Media Coordinator
+94 773 171 087 / [email protected]

 

Mahieash Johnney – Senior Manager – Communications & Humanitarian Diplomacy
+94 773 502 156 / [email protected]  | Twitter – @mahieash  | @SLRedCross