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Authorities prepare final assessment on flood damage

by Nadira Gunatilleke

As the flood ravaged districts limp back to normal with help of huge quantum of aid, local and foreign authorities were busy trying to make a final assessment of the damage together with measures of disaster preparedness to face any future contingencies.

During a meeting held last morning to discuss the flood situation Prime Minister Ranil Wickremasinghe advised the Ministers to take immediate action to assure the safety of the people in those 260 landslides-prone areas. It is decided to send eight teams to examine the areas, Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Ms. Vijayalakshmi Jegarasasingam told the `Daily News' yesterday.

She said that according to the latest reports 148 schools have been damaged due to floods countrywide. The estimated cost is Rs. 228 million. While flood waters were subsiding in all the districts 260 landslides-prone areas have been reported. The water level in Matara stood at 0.8 metre at noon yesterday and was expected to subside completely within the next two days. Main roads have been made accessible in all the affected areas. Blockages of some secondary roads still remain due to landslides. Restoration of power, communication and irrigation facilities are in progress.

Cleaning and chlorination of wells continue while water purification tablets are being distributed among the public. Garbage removal at common spots has already started. Health surveillance programme is implemented with WHO support, she added.

Over 1,000 MT of food has been delivered and over 1,120,000 bottles of water supplied to the flood victims. Essential drugs, temporary shelter material, clothes, kitchen utensils and education material are also distributed. Generators and water pumps have also been provided. Armed forces continues to support.

Rapid damage assessment are being prepared in all sectors while document inviting international support for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts is ready.

The Sri Lankan Government received UN agencies' support for damage assessment. Bilateral donor support was also received.

International and national humanitarian agencies and NGOs provided support to affected families. Compensation packages for damaged houses will be considered shortly. 4,808 displaced people are still standed in 42 camps in Ratnapura, Galle and Matara districts. In Ratnapura district 3,207 persons are in 19 camps while 3,250 persons in 30 camps in the Matara district. Another 119 are in four camps in the Galle district.

According to the latest statistics the death toll has gone down to 249 as several `missing' persons have appeared. 10,436 houses have been completely damaged while 32,053 are partly damaged.

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