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Sri Lanka: Flood: 1999/01 Country Information on DRR

Period 1999/01
Country or District Sri Lanka
Event Type Flood
Outline The northeast monsoon brought heavy rains in the eastern part of Sri Lanka with the dawn of the New Year. 29,288 families were affected by heavy floods.Two deaths had been reported.
Summary
Human Impact Physical Impact Others
OCHA Situation Report No.1 99/1/11
Two deaths due to fallen trees were reported from Matale, an area in the central hills of Sri Lanka. Damage to paddy fields was thought to be significant.
On 4 January, strong winds with heavy rainfall caused damage to a number of homes and telecommunication facilities.
Sri Lanka: Floods Information Bulletin No. 3
Close to 31,000 families (approximately 155,000 people) were reportedly affected. Some 15,000 families were initially displaced. In the districts of Batticaloa, Trincomalee and Vavuniya alone, more than 18,500 acres of paddy were lost.
Sri Lanka: Floods Information Bulletin No. 1
53,300 people are displaced In Batticaloa District and Trincomalee and Vavuniya Districts. ・Damage in the paddy fields is thought to be significant, and in some areas the crops are considered as lost. Paddy acreage affected are 18,500 acres.
・Large numbers of livestock have drowned.
・Of serious concern is the traditional irrigation system of tanks and reservoirs (approximately 20,000 throughout the island). Tanks overflowing are 13.

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OCHA Situation Report No.1 1999/01/11
29,288 families in seven administrative districts, namely Trincomalee, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa, Ampara, Badulla and Mannar, were affected by heavy floods.

IFRC 02 Feb 1999
The displaced villagers have been living in temporary shelters on the railway embankment for several days. Besides the threat of more floods, they face yet another danger - from the local population of wild elephants.

IFRC 1999/01/28
The water has now largely receded in most areas, and the rains have subsided. But,a rise of malaria and similar water and vector borne diseases is anticipated since much of the remaining water has turned stagnant.

IFRC 1999/01/19
Youth volunteers assist flood victims in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society has been providing emergency relief from the very beginning. Approximately 13,000, more than 10 percent of the flood victims, will receive emergency aid before the end of January.

IFRC 1999/01/14
The heavy rain subsided over the past several days.In total, nine districts experienced significant flooding. While thousands remain in emergency shelters set up in schools and other public buildings, many have begun repairing their damaged houses and returning home.

IFRC 1999/01/08
Approximately 15,000 families were displaced, but many appear to have been provided shelter by the local population and authorities. The meteorological service expects the heavy rain to continue for several more days.

ABC News 1999/01/06
At least 15-thousand families have been made homeless after heavy rain and flooding in the country's north and east.

[ERI Emergency Relief Information]


The Sri Lanka Government have not express request for international assistance by 1 January.

IFRC 1999/1/28
the SLRCS procured the following relief items Kitchen utensils (aluminium sets of 5 items) - 3,089 sets Plastic mats - 7,142 mats Bedsheets - 6,581 sets Milk food (packets) - 1,196 packets @ 400 g Soap - 3,122 bars

OCHA Situation Report No.1 1999/01/11
The Government has allocated USD 91,100 for relief operations. The Sri Lankan Red Cross Society's staff and volunteers are working in the affected areas to help ensure assistance to flood victims.