(Update) Southwest Monsoonal Floods 2018

(Update - 16.30 - 28-05-2018) Sri Lanka generally experiences flooding during the Southwest monsoon (May – June) and the Northeast monsoon (November – January). The Southwest monsoon rains cover the Western, Southern, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces, while the Northeast monsoonal rains affect the Northern, Eastern and North Central provinces mainly. Sri Lanka experienced major floods in 2017 during the Southwest monsoon which resulted in substantial harm to communities, specially in the Sabragamuwa and Southern provinces. 

The 2018 Southwest monsoon season which started in the 3^rd week of May brought heavy rains and winds to the Southern, Western, North Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces. Due to the excessive rains, above 150 mm in certain regions, the opening of spill gates of major dams and the overflow of major rivers, many communities were forced to evacuate their homes. It is expected that the rain will continue and people have been asked to be on alert for sudden rise of water levels and earth and mud slips.

The Board of Social Responsibility has been assessing the situation at National and regional level through its trained disaster management volunteers and Regional BSR members. Updated information is shared throughout the day from National and Regional levels. Churches in affected areas have been observing the situations and where necessary have met the needs of affected communities with the coordination and support of community leaders and local government officials. The Regional BSRs have been empowered to support churches in response activities while the Central BSR will assist the Regional BSR through providing resources and expertise if needed. Presently the focus is on meeting immediate needs but this will be done considering gaps and needs through assessments and observations.  Since the capacity of the Diocese on disaster management has developed with the partnership established with the  National Christian Council, where the Diocese helped to build up the capacity of the NCCSL member Churches,  inter-denominational teams have been formed in the regions to assist for disaster response. This has been  a major strength to both, partner churches and the Diocese. Also, the BSR has recently joined hands with “Caritas” the social arm of the Roman Catholic Church. Both the BSR and Caritas will explore the possibilities of joint activities at National and Regional level.  

General Info – Source DMC Sri Lanka 28th May

 Situation Report - Statistics – 28th May, 2018 – Source DMC Sri Lanka