(UTV|COLOMBO) – Under the directives of the Office of Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS) and information of Disaster Management Centre, naval personnel are currently engaged in relief missions, following the adverse weather condition. Accordingly, 39 Navy relief teams with 37 dinghies have been deployed in relief work in the Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa and North Western provinces since 20th May.
As such, naval personnel attached to the Marine Battalion, Rapid Response Rescue and Relief Unit (4RU), Special Boat Squadron (SBS) and Diving Unit of Sri Lanka Navy have already been pressed into rescue and relief missions. Meanwhile, a team of SBS personnel has been deployed to remove debris collected underside of the Wakwella Bridge over Gin Ganga posing a flood threat in the area. The team swiftly cleared debris making way for proper downstream of water. Further, another bridge located at Aviththava, Mathugama in Kalutara district was blocked with debris and a relief team of the Navy had been promptly deployed to address the contingency situation. Besides, a team of Navy Divers undertook action to clean the defunct Water Treatment Plant in Raddolugama area and bring the facility to operational condition. Meanwhile, a group of distressed people due to flash floods in Madampe area was rescued and transferred to safe places by naval personnel attached to the 4RU.
Further, few trucks loaded with mobile kitchens, food preparing and heating utensils, lavatories, tents, water pumps and other essential items which can be used in an emergency situation were sent to Rathnapura district in coordination with the Disaster Response Unit established at SLNS Gemunu in Welisara, today (22 May). Accordingly, Navy is providing meal and necessary assistance to the people displaced in Hidallana area in Rathnapura as of now. Realising its bounden duty in this contingency situation, Navy will continue to carry out rescue and relief activities even amidst the inclement weather condition.
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