Updated 21 November 2012
In Sri Lanka’s Wattala district, flooding is no stranger. The threat imposed by the rainwaters brings with it many hardships on the local people.
FLOODING IN HOUSES
Year after year, during and outside of the monsoon season, people living in the marsh areas in and around Wattala suffer from the overflow of rainwater from neighbouring streets and farm fields, and into their homes. The state of their homes is unlivable and residents must move out and take shelter in community schools, mosques and other vacant buildings until the rains cease and the waters have receded.
Moving to other areas is not an option for the families currently living in Wattala. These families have been living here for years. The children are used to the schools here and the sole breadwinners are also employed in the nearby factories and businesses. To find schools and new employment better areas is not an easy task.
Our agent in Sri Lanka reported: “Every time it rains, these poor people lose most of their belongings, since all of their houses are flooded with rainwater and waste water. If and when the flood water level rises too high, they have to throw away most of their clothes and mattresses as well, since all these get soaked with the dirty and unhygienic flood waters.
WATER SNAKES AND CROCODILES
When floods hit the marshlands of Wattala, the water level also rises which give way for water snakes to enter the marshlands from the adjacent canals where they reside. Unfortunately, many residents suffer from snake bites and must get treated.
In addition to the water snakes, there are also crocodiles that live in the canals that pose a safety threat to the villagers. A nearby International School in Wattala has posted signs along their roadway which says: “Beware of Crocodiles.”
DISEASES & AILMENTS
Illnesses such as malaria, skin diseases, dengue fever and diarrhoea are common occurrences during floods. At the end of the rainy season, a medical camp is conducted for at least two days where most flood victims are treated for various diseases and ailments. Unfortunately, there is usually not enough medication available to treat everyone.
RETURNING HOME
When it is safe for the flood victims to return home, our agent said: “We do our best to provide them with some basic requirements like mats, pillows, bed-sheets, dry rations and disinfectants as well.”
SRI LANKA FLOOD RELIEF FUND: PLEASE DONATE TODAY
Flooding is an annual occurrence and the villagers living in these areas have to live with this for the rest of their lives. Please support the flood affected families in Sri Lanka with a donation to the Sri Lanka Flood Relief Fund. Your contribution will help us deliver urgently needed aid to men, women and children in the region. Many families still require food, clean water and assistance with restoring their homes.
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For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org