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Sri Lanka

10 dead and over 800,000 affected due to rain from various parts of Sri Lanka - Situation Report 2

By Mahieash Johnney - IFRC Communications & Information manager in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Situation Report 2 - 10/01/2011 @ 1200hrs

The Disaster Management Centre has released the latest figures of affected people from floods in various parts of Sri Lanka bringing the total over 800,000. Most of the affected was reported from Batticaloa where 482,830 were reported as displaced from severe floods in the region.

In Ponlonnaruwa 6,388 were affected while Trincomalee and Ampara recorded 22,026 and 306,998 respectively.

Currently the branches of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society have deployed Non Food Relief Items (NFRI) to the affected areas and are currently in the process of getting assessment reports in order to determine the future course of action.

The Head of Operations for the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Surein Peiris said "As soon as we receive the assessment reports we will put in place a relief mechanism that would help the people of these areas in order to restore their lives"

Meanwhile the government agents in Ampara and Trincomalee have begun to distribute cook food items to the affected people.

The Disaster Response Manager for Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Chandana Thammannegoda said "Currently there is a dire need for safe drinking water. Most of the areas which are inundated cannot be accessed as roads have been blocked or being washed away. The SLRCS branches in these areas are doing their level best to get safe drinking water and other essential items to the victims as soon as possible."

Meanwhile an MI 17 helicopter operating in the Batticaloa district dropped 2.5 tonnes of dry rations today.

Meanwhile a Bell 212 operating in Ampara rescued 24 persons in Tampitiya today. The missions are continuing despite heavy rains and strong winds.

The Air Force also rescued 22 persons who were marooned in Tampitiya and Bogamuyaya yesterday by using a Bell helicopter.