Sri Lanka: Floods and Landslides - May 2018
OngoingOverview
The southwest monsoon weather conditions have caused rainfalls since 19 May 2018 in the southwest parts of the island. By 21 May, the precipitation triggered a flood and landslide situation in the country, which has affected thousands of lives and livelihoods, as well as caused property damage. According to the situation update by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) of Sri Lanka confirmed that a total of 153,7122 people in 19 districts have been affected and 20 people have died due heavy rains, strong winds, lightning and landslides. Currently, 19,519 families have been evacuated into 339 welfare centres. Puttalam, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Colombo, Kurunegala, Kalutara and Kegalle are amongst the worst affected districts. The water levels of two main rivers, Kalu Ganga and Attanagalu-oya, are still at flood levels, but slowly receding. Some water reservoir gates are opened and release water to reduce the flood threat to other areas. Landslide warnings are still active in some districts due to the risk of landslides and power cuts and failures.
The DMC has reported the need for drinking water, wells and area cleaning, since water sources have been contaminated. The DMC is coordinating the national response efforts. The National Disaster Relief Service centre has released 44.15 million Sri Lankan rupees (approx. CHF 276,000 Swiss francs) for the response.
According to the previous experiences and scientific figures on climate condition in South Asia country including Sri Lanka, this is just the beginning of the annual monsoon season, and it is expected that the weather condition might be getting worst and extreme in the coming months. (IFRC, 30 May 2018)
As of 1 June 2018, water levels in all major rivers had decreased and flood victims in over 200 welfare centres had returned to their homes. The flood affected 174,310 persons from 45,680 families. Twenty six persons were reported dead. The Puttlam district had the highest number of victims stranded at safety centres, as well as the highest numbers in flood damage with 96 critical infrastructure, and 53 fully damaged houses. Colombo recorded the highest number of partially damaged houses with a total of 2,270. While waiting for the damage assessment report, the National Disaster Relief Service Centre (NDRSC) disbursed Rs. 25 million to meet the costs of immediate response, in addition to Rs. 55.45 million provided for emergency relief assistance. (Govt. of Sri Lanka, 4 Jun 2018)
As of 12 June, the DMC has reported that close to 175,000 people have been affected across 19 districts, and 26 people killed. Puttalam, Gampaha, Ratnapura, Colombo, Kurunegala, Kalutara and Kegalle are amongst the worst affected districts. (ECHO, 12 Jun 2018)
Useful Links
Affected countries
Most read (last 30 days)
- Sri Lanka Red Cross drone assesses monsoon disaster from the air
- Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (29 May - 4 June 2018)
- ACT Alliance Alert: Sri Lanka Floods
- Sri Lanka – Floods- Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) - DG ECHO Daily Map | 05/30/2018
- Asia and the Pacific: Weekly Regional Humanitarian Snapshot (22 - 28 May 2018)
Colombo, 12 June 2018 – Following the devastating floods and landslides which have struck Sri Lanka over the last weeks, the European Commission gave €160 000 (approximately LKR 29 million) in humanitarian funding to bring emergency assistance to the communities affected by the recent floods. Some 17 500 people in the seven most affected districts of the country will benefit from aid. Priority will be given to those who have been displaced.
06/06/2018 – Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Red Cross Society of China donated 50,000 USD to the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) supporting the relief efforts on the present disaster of flooding and landslides.
On June 6, Chinese Ambassador H.E. Cheng Xueyuan, on behalf of the Red Cross Society of China, handed over the donation to Mr. Nimal Kumar, National Secretary of SLRCS.
Weather and disaster offices have for years faced criticism for a lack of flood early warnings - but that is changing this year, experts say
By Amantha Perera
MARAWILA, Sri Lanka, June 6 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - In late May, floods were the last thing on Chamindha Fernando's mind.
A drought that started in late 2016 was in its second year and the biggest local worry was that drinking water in Marawila, a coastal town about 65 km north of Colombo, might run out.
The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) says it has now launched a recovery operation to assist 50,000 people affected by the recent monsoon-season floods, and for the first time it is using a drone to help volunteers gauge the full extent of the disaster.
The National Society said in a press release last week it was allocating nearly US$ 400,000 for a four-month operation to assist 2,800 household in Puttalam, Kalutara, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Gampaha and Colombo districts, identified as the worst affected.
Colombia-Deslizamiento-
30/05/18
