2010 Colombo floods

The 2010 Colombo floods were an isolated incident that took place between 10 November and 11 November 2010 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. As a low-pressure area developed over the city, up to 490 mm (19.3 in)[1][2] of rain fell during the short period of 15 hours overnight, causing widespread damage and flooding in the area; the highest amount of rainfall in 18 years.[3] A joint Government-UN assessment was launched on the 13th to understand the level of damage in the affected areas.[4]

2010 Colombo floods
Location of Colombo in Sri Lanka's wet zone.
Date19:00 10 November, to 12:00 11 November
LocationColombo
Deaths1

Damage

According to the Disaster Management Centre, the heavy rains displaced over 260,000 people in Colombo and suburbs.[3] Heavy rains also submerged the parliament under 4 ft (122 cm) of water,[1][5][6] and damaged 257 houses, while completely destroying 11.[7] Current death toll stands at 1.[8]

The Ministry of Education have also requested all schools to be closed during the period.,[8] while the Ministry of Labour Relations entitled paid-leave for government employees.[1]

Multiple grid substations were also shut down by the Ceylon Electricity Board in various locations in Colombo, due to the risk of being submerged. Leading to power outages in multiple areas.[1][8]

Relief efforts

The government deployed Air Force Bell 212 helicopters to assist in aerial assessments and missions to rescue stranded people.[9] 1,800 Sri Lankan Army troops were deployed to relief flood victims on the ground, while the Navy deployed trawlers to provide food and transportation in the affected areas. The DMC also disbursed Rs.20 million (≈180,000 USD) to relief efforts.[7]

The Sri Lanka navy and army also made public appeals asking flood victims to contact them for relief assistance. Television and radio stations repeatedly broadcast their contact numbers.[1]

See also

References
  1. "Record rains flood Sri Lanka, leaving 36,000 families homeless". CNN. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  2. "The Deluge Again". Daily News. Archived from the original on 18 November 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  3. "Over 260,000 affected by floods". Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 14 November 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  4. "Joint UN-Government assessment begins in flood-affected areas". Ada Derana. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  5. "Sri Lanka floods force up to 300,000 from their homes". Free Malaysia Today. Archived from the original on 9 September 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  6. "Houses submerged, photographs". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  7. "Over 260,000 people affected by floods in Sri Lankan capital and suburbs". Colombo Page. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  8. "Over 100,000 flood victims in Sri Lanka Colombo Highest rainfall in 18 yrs, rains to continue". Lanka Newspapers. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  9. "SLAF conducted helicopter rescue to assess flood damage and assistance". SLAF. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
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