Palmera Projects
Latest on Sri Lanka Flood disasters
Posted on Saturday, Mar 5 2011
Update 14th February 2010
Highlights and Key Priorities
a) More displaced people continue to make their way home in the wake of receding floodwaters in the Eastern, Northern and North‐Central Provinces. However the authorities remain on alert for an increase in rainfall that could trigger fresh floods and displacement.
b) Communities hit by the floods need significant assistance in terms of clean water, non‐food items (NFIs), basic common shelters and food. Recovery activities are also beginning to focus on rehabilitation of houses, damaged irrigation infrastructure and livelihoods. While access has improved overall, some areas remain cut off due to inundated roads and damages to infrastructure.
c) The current statictics on the flood situation in Sri Lanka as at 13th February is that 19 districts are still effected by floods and landslides. A total of 268907 families have been effected by the rain and land slides and a total of 2883 families are still living in camps. (Source: DMC / District Secretariats). More info: ).
Situation Overview
A week of sunny weather and minimal rain has allowed more displaced people to return home and the progressive closure of temporary evacuation sites. By 11 February, the displaced population dropped to 69,627 – less 33,703 from the previous day (Vavuniya: 41,992; Mannar: 6,830; Trincomalee: 5,254; Ampara: 3,372; Badulla: 3,369; Batticaloa: 3,222; Polonnaruwa: 2,670). Similarly the affected population declined from 1,191,275 persons to 1,165,102. However, predictions from the Pacific Disaster Centre indicate rainfall in many areas over the next week with heavy rains expected on 15 February. This may set back relief operations, as both government and agency capacities are currently extended in meeting the basic needs of flood‐affected people. Medium‐ term recovery interventions, such as support to the devastated agricultural sector and other livelihoods, remain pressing concerns.
Although rains have stopped in many areas, a few tanks in Ampara, Anuradhapura, Batticaloa and Mannar are at spill level. Irrigation authorities continue to closely monitor water levels and adjust overflow accordingly.
Situation in districts LEADS is carrying out distribution
Trincomalee
The Muttur, Seruvila and Verugal DS Divisions are still only accessible by sea. The Sri Lanka Army is expediting repairs to the Kantalai access road to via Allai, which may be completed on 12 February.
LEADS has been providing dry food during the month of January for the people living in 2 DS divisions. In the Kinniya division 900 dry food packages have been distributed for persons living in Alankerni and Iddimun. In the Verugal division 418 dry food packages and supplementary food items have been distributed to 418 families who have been living in Poonagar village. During the month of February dry foods items, supplementary foods items and non food items have been distributed to 8 families livening in Church in the Thampalagamam division. Due to the weather conditions the beneficiaries have lost their daily income.
Mannar
As the flood water diminishes, displaced people in Manthai West, Madhu and Nanattan DS Divisions continue to leave temporary evacuation sites/host families for their homes. All communities from Musali have returned to their villages. As of 11 February, a total of 3,492 persons (959 families) are at present still in the sites, while some 39,948 persons (9,990 families) are affected by the floods. Local authorities report that 11,293 people (3,116 families) have gone back home. Some families are choosing to remain in evacuation sites, while they clean out their homes and properties. As in other districts, large number of livestock perished in the floods or because of cold temperatures. Access to some areas are also restricted and the Navy is facilitating urgent relief supplies. Some areas are not accessible was the waters have risen and bridges have been destroyed.
During the month of February LEADS has provided 2100 families with supplementary food items and cooking utensils and in the Nanattan 1750 families have been provided with supplementary food items and cooking utensils. The dry food items have been provided by the government for these families. During the distribution of the items the beneficiaries were living in schools but now they have been moved to the Madukarai division and are living in centers allocated for IDPs.
Amapara
Rains ceased on 10 February. Of 20 reservoirs in the district, around ten, including the Senanayaka Samudraya, continue to spill over. Two medium‐scale reservoirs are completely damaged in Valathapitiya, in amanthurai DS Division, and Valagama, in Uhana DS Division. Around 1,626 families, including families dependent on fishing and farming livelihoods, are affected by the overflowing reservoirs. Road access is fairly stable, with the exception of the Bakmitiya, Karana and Nanathivu routes. Although water levels are decreasing, houses in the low‐lying areas of Navithanveli and Alaidivembu DS Divisions are affected by seepage. A total 536 houses are reported to have been fully destroyed and another 3,275 partially damaged by the floods.
During the month of January LEADS has provided 2462 families with non‐food items. All beneficiaries are from the Sammanthurai division but are from 7 different IDP centers and 15 schools that were effected by the floods have been provided with cleaning items. During the month of February dry food items have been provide to 461 families. These families are living in 3 IDP centers in the Sammanthuri division.
Matara
For the people effected by the floods in Malimboda, Matara during the month of February LEADS provided 500 families with dry rations for a week. The food had been distribution with the help of the government office in Matara. The beneficiaries are currently living in their houses which have been damaged during the floods and they are presently looking for funds to rebuild their houses.
LEADS is currently raising funds as there are people still living in IDP centers and also to help people who are returning from the IDP camps to restore their houses and livelihood that were destroyed and to also clean up the areas and wells that have been polluted and damaged due to the floods.
Update 12th February 2010
Partner organsation, LEADS, appeals for more assistance as torrential rains lead to more displaced and damage exceeds over LKR 50 billion.
From: "Amala" <[email protected]>
Date: 11 February 2011 1:49:41 AM AEDT
Subject: EMERGENCY RELIEF REQUEST
Dear Friends,
This is the second request we are sending out to you within the space of 4 weeks. The torrential rains have continued causing havoc- floods, landslides, destroying homes, paddy fields, crops, livestock and infrastructure. The damage is extensive and a disaster for Sri Lanka, second only to the Tsunami. According to the Minister for Disaster Management, the damage could exceed LKR 50 billion.
Please pray for the people affected by this disaster.
LEADS has been working tirelessly to provide support for the displaced since the onset of the floods some weeks ago. Please pray for the safety of our staff as they respond to this emergency.
It is in these circumstances that we write to you again- seeking assistance. Assistance is required for food, shelter and livelihood. Any support at this time is most welcome.
Please find attached the emergency proposal and budget.
We look forward to hearing from you
Thank you,
sincerely
Amala
Amala Cumaraswamy
Associate Partner Liaison
LEADS
mobile: 0773073955
Palmera has donated $20,000 to the floods and looking to provide further support with your assistance so please donate
Click to read more about what Palmera is doing in response to this flood disaster.