Troops give their daily rations to flood victims

East-based Army troops in their hundreds extended their humanitarian services further, offering their own food rations to flood victims yesterday afternoon on the instructions of Army Commander, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya.

Thoppigala, one of the worst affected areas in the Batticaloa district with torrential rains wreaking havoc, still remains almost cut off from the main supply routes. Troops, despite threats to their lives, reached settlements and villages to rescue a number of civilians while being dragged away or trapped in floods. By yesterday morning, the number of rescued civilians in the East rose to 1,700 including children and women.

All Field Commanders in the East responded to the need and released their own dry ration stocks to feed the affected and other rescued civilians until relief supplies reached them.

Army Rescue and Relief Teams with the assistance of Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (SLMC) troops commenced a special emergency medical camp near Iranakulam, Sittandy. In the past few days, over 230 flood victims were either resuscitated, given first aid or medical treatment before some were transferred out or airlifted to peripheral hospitals in view of their worsening condition.

Army troops rushed to the Mulliwattuwan tank, Thoppigala on Wednesday evening and began restoration and repair of its breached bund as a result of gushing waters. Hundreds of ground troops were almost reaching its completion by yesterday afternoon, reports reaching Colombo said. Another contingent of Army troops has already undertaken the challenge of restoring the Red Bridge in Pankudaweli on A 35 Chenkalady-Karadiyanaru Road since one side of the bridge had been completely damaged and washed away, making the road impassable to both traffic and civilians.

Army troops reached Kudumbimalai, Iralankulam, Pulipanchakal, Tharavikulam, Panlodaweli, Wadduvan, Thoppigala and several other areas yesterday with 10 boats and provided dry rations to the marooned, adequate for three days.

Nearly 10,000-15,000 stranded people have been taken care by the Army since other authorities find it difficult to reach those areas under water.

In the past few hours ending yesterday evening, troops distributed about 1,200 cooked meal packets among victims as well as dry ration packets to over 700 families.

Nearly 40,000 Army troops serving the East have been deployed in worst affected areas providing immediate relief with the coordination of provincial authorities, Navy, Air Force and the Police.