India on Saturday rushed relief materials and deployed rescue personnel in Sri Lanka, even as the number of deaths in floods and landslides rose to 122. Nearly half a million people have been displaced due to the flood and earth slips, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said 97 people still remain missing in the country’s worst floods since 2003. The DMC issued an urgent evacuation warning for residents living along the Kelani River.
“A total of 4,93,455 people are now housed in 185 relief camps and health care facilities are being provided to them,” Senatatne said.
"There are at least five landslides reported in several places in Kalutara," said police spokesman Priyantha Jayakody, referring to the worst-hit district on the island's west coast.
Worst Floods To Hit Sri Lanka Since 2003
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The disaster management centre said 38 deaths were reported from Kalutara while 46 were reported from the central southern district of Ratnapura. Military spokesman Roshan Senevirathne said about 400 military personnel had been deployed with boats and helicopters to help the police and civilian agencies.
The wettest time of the year in Sri Lanka's south is usually during the southern monsoon, from May to September. The island nation also receives heavy rains in the North West monsoonal season from November to February.
Sri Lankan meteorology officials said Thursday's rains were the worst since 2003 and they expected more rain in the coming days, as the South-west monsoon condition had established over the country.
The incessant south western monsoon has caused havoc since Thursday night with people in 14 of the island's 25 districts being affected.
The south western region of Ratnapura was worst affected. Over 350,000 people have no electricity. The water levels in most main rivers have swelled, threatening more areas of submerge, Irrigation Department officials said.
Sri Lanka's tri-forces personnel including more than 1,000 Army troops were engaged in the rescue and relief operations. A Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) airman died after falling from a helicopter during a flood rescue operation in Neluwa area in Galle. The Meteorology Department said that rain and windy conditions are expected to continue.
Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in coordination with the Ministry of Disaster Management, appealed to the UN, International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and neighbouring countries to provide assistance to affected people, especially in the areas of search and rescue operations.
PM Modi Offers Condolences
In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India had already dispatched relief to Colombo in Sri Lanka’s hour of need. The Prime Minister also expressed his condolences over the loss of life and property in Sri Lanka.
India Sends Navy Ships to Sri Lanka
India, the first country to respond, dispatched three Navy ships with emergency supplies to help Sri Lanka in the rescue and relief operations.
PM Modi directed provision of all necessary assistance.
The Indian rescue personnel were then deployed to the disaster affected zone in coordination with Sri Lanka Navy and other Sri Lankan authorities.
The fist Indian navy ship with rescue and relief materials arrived on Saturday morning at the Port of Colombo.
Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ravi Karunanayake, who was present to receive the ship, said:
We are grateful to India for sending relief at such a short notice so quickly.
He said India's move to send relief materials demonstrated the Indo-Lanka relations which are at an excellent level.
Two more Indian Navy ships, INS Shardul and INS Jalashwa, also left for Sri Lanka with relief materials including food medicines and water.
Medical and diving teams along with boats and helicopters were sent on board INS Jalashwa to assist Sri Lanka in rescuing people from flood-hit area, Indian Navy spokesperson Captain D K Sharma said.
The US has said it will provide relief goods worth 150 million Sri Lankan rupees.
The flooding is the worst since May 2003 when 250 people were killed and 10,000 homes destroyed after a similarly powerful Southwest monsoon, officials said.
Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had activated the Emergency Response Unit to coordinate rescue and relief measures related to the flood situation.
Sri Lanka, which has been heavily deforested for cash crops, often witnesses landslides during the monsoon season.
Last year, more than 100 people were killed in a massive landslide in the country.
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