Around Rs.2.6 Million Issued To Flood Affected Districts For Flood Relief Activities-Ministry Of Health

Around Rs.2.6 million has been issued to the flood affected districts  in Sri Lanka up to date as an emergency funds to utilize for flood relief activities according to Ministry Of Health,Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine.

Around 106 mobile medical teams comprising 941 health professionals including doctors,nurses and para medical officers have been sent to flood affected areas to treat the affected people up to date and an emergency medical kits with 84 essential drugs have been issued to these teams for treating patients the Ministry has stated.To transport the medical teams for the affected areas the Health Ministry has released 53 vehicles it has been reported.

At the moment 164,997 persons are reported as affected from floods in MOH areas throughout the island and out of them 26,687 persons are staying at welfare centers the Ministry has further added.

The disaster preparedness and response division attached to Ministry Of Health is functioning 24 hours per day since last week and those who need mobile medical teams for flood affected areas can request them from the Division the Ministry has stressed.

Sri Lanka Air Force Helicopter Met With An Accident While Landing

The Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter Bell-206 has been damaged while landing at Hingurakgoda Area this morning according to reports.

The pilot of the helicopter reported as safe and no casualties have been reported due to the accident.

QUOTES FOR LIFE

Doctors Requested The Mothers At Displaced Camps In Flooded Areas To Continue Feeding Their Infants With Breast Milk

Doctors made a special request from the mothers who are staying at displaced camps in flooded areas with their infants to continue feeding infants with breast milk without  feeding them powdered milk .

"Mother's milk is the best food for their infants .By taking an advantage from the flood situation milk powder companies may try to promote their milk powder products among mothers at displaced camps and mothers should be aware on this situation' doctors have urged.

As it has been reported that there are nearly 10,000 children under fiver years old staying in displaced camps at present mothers should feed them with breast milk without feeding them with bottled milk doctors have further stated.

Meanwhile a special programme has been implemented to immunize children at displaced camps through mobile medical teams served in flood affected areas the Ministry Of Health has announced.

HEALTH TIP- ELECTRICITY AND FLOODS

People often overlook the possibility of an electrical accident during or after a flood. It is understandable that sufferers of flooding will often have their minds on other issues. But Safe Electricity believe electricity is the first thing you should consider when entering a flooded home or property.

The Safe Electricity website gives a list of 5 measures to bear in mind when it comes to electricity and flooding:

1. Never step into a flooded basement or other room if water may be in contact with electrical outlets, appliances or cords.
2. Never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you can’t reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter.
3. Never use electric appliances or touch electric wires, switches or fuses when you’re wet or when you’re standing in water.
4. Keep electric tools and equipment at least 10 feet away from wet surfaces. Do not use electric yard tools if it’s raining or the ground is wet.
5. If an electrical appliance has been in contact with water, have a professional check it out before it is used. It may need to be repaired or replaced.

Also be aware that even if your power company has turned the electricity off, it is advisable to turn it off at the fuse or breaker box in your home also, just in case power was to be re-instated by the power company without your knowledge. But as stated above, never attempt to turn off power at the breaker box if you must stand in water to do so. If you can’t reach your breaker box safely, call your electric utility to shut off power at the meter.


After the event of a flood, you may well have some hard decisions to make regarding your electrical appliances. Firstly, if you have the chance and enough warning, you should move all electrical appliance to a higher area (upper floor) to keep them clear of flood water.
However, should some of your electrical appliances be water damaged, there is a very high chance they will never again be safe to use. Flood water contaminates any appliance that is submerged, or even partially submerged. After drying and cleaning, there may well be sediment that has damaged the appliance. Sadly this applies to more than just your kettle and toaster –flood water may also damage your breaker box and general electrical wiring in your home. So after the event of a flood in your home, make sure you consult a professional electrician to verify the safety of your electrical appliances, large and small.

Cabinet Decided To Grant One Month Relief Period For Flood Victims To Pay Electricity And Water Bills

The Cabinet has yesterday(24) decided to grant one month relief period for those affected by floods in settling  their electricity and water bills.

Meanwhile the government has announced that the cost of the Sri Lanka's floods and landslides  occurred last weak is between US Dollars 1.5 billion to US Dollars 2 billion.