19 May 2016
Background
With the development of a low pressure system in the Bay of Bengal on 10 May 2016, the rainfall pattern in Sri Lanka changed with many areas receiving a higher amount of rainfall in addition to the inter-monsoonal rains that the country was already receiving. Many areas of the country received over 100 mm of rain. Though the depression moved away from the country on 17 May, heavy rains still continue
The rainfall resulted in flooding and also significant mudslides occurred in two districts. The worst incident was in Aranayake, Kegalle District where over 60 houses got buried. The exact numbers of deaths/ injured is yet to be confirmed as rescue operations are still continuing.
As of 19 May, 22 districts across the country have been affected: 414,627 people affected with 306,773 displaced into 594 safe locations. Forty three persons were confirmed dead with another 16 reported as missing. The worst affected district is Colombo with the overflowing of the Kelani river with 170,233 being affected in the district alone. The water levels in the river continue to remain high due to the continuous spilling of major tanks upstream.
Government Response
The Office of the Chief of Defense Staff is coordinating rescue operations island-wide. Relief services are provided by the tri-forces and the Ministry of Disaster Management. Health response is coordinated by the Disaster Preparedness and Response Division of the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine (MoH) with the Emergency Operations Room functioning 24/7. None of the MoH institutions are damaged by the disaster and hospitals continue to remain operational providing the necessary care.
The MoH has issued relevant guidelines and has provided vital support in the form of personnel, medical supplies and financial assistance to the affected Regional Directorates. Communities are currently at risk of leptospirosis and water-borne, skin diseases and vector- borne diseases.
WHO Action
WHO has participated in the emergency meetings convened by the Ministry of Disaster Management and the Ministry of Health convened emergency meetings. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened an “Emergency Diplomatic Briefing on Floods and Disaster Situation in Sri Lanka” on 19 May.
In response to the MOH request for, WHO has immediately provided the following health emergency support:
- Emergency funds of LKR1M
- 1,500 hygiene kits
- 2,000 bottles of drinking water
WHO will join the MOH Disaster Preparedness and Response Division in its field visit to affected sites on 20 May.
For further information, please contact:
Dr Jacob Kumaresan, WHO Representative Dr Arturo Pesigan, Technical Officer/EHA Ms Karen Reidy, Health Communications Officer