| Date | May 2017 |
|---|---|
| Location | 15 districts ofSri Lanka |
| Cause | Flood andLandslide |
| Deaths | 224 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 72 |
| Missing | 78 |
| Property damage | 2,093 houses fully and 11,056 houses partially destroyed |
The2017 Sri Lanka floods resulted from a heavysouthwest monsoon, beginning around 18 to 19 May 2017.[1] Flooding was worsened by the arrival of the precursor system toCyclone Mora,[2] causing flooding and landslides throughoutSri Lanka during the final week of May 2017.[3] The floods affected 15 districts, killed at least 208 people and left a further 78 people missing. As of 3 June, 698,289 people were affected, while 11,056 houses were partially damaged and another 2,093 houses completely destroyed.[4] According toAl Jazeera, about 600,000 people have been displaced due to the floods.[5]
The flooding severely affected Sri Lanka'sWestern Province,Sabaragamuwa Province,Southern Province and part ofCentral Province.[6] The worst-affected districts wereKalutara,[3]Matara andRatnapura.[7] In Kalutara, flooding of theKalu River also triggered several mudflows.[8]Agalawatte, a town withinKalutara District, reported 47 deaths and 62 people missing as of 29 May, with many areas made inaccessible by landslides.[6] TheRatnapura District had recorded 79 deaths by 30 May.[7]
Thesouthwest monsoon typically peaks during late May to the beginning of June in Sri Lanka, with prevailing winds from the south and southwest, streaming toward theBay of Bengal. The areas that usually receive the heaviest rain are the south and west of the country, including Kalutara, Ratnapura, and Colombo. The monsoon was anticipated to arrive after 14 May, but owing to below-normal water levels in the region, it was initially not expected to cause severe flooding.[9]
Parts of Sri Lanka received 300 mm – 500 mm of heavy monsoon rain in a 24-hour period by 25 May, resulting in widespread flooding.[10] Highest recorded rainfall was 533 mm in Kukuleganga.[11]Galle, a coastal city, received 223 mm (8.8 in) andRatnapura experienced 453 mm (17.8 in) of rainfall during the period of 27 to 30 May, leading to severe inland flooding.[7] On 27 May, an area of convective thunderstorms in the Bay of Bengal started to converge, moving to the northeast and becomingCyclone Mora on 28 May. Cyclone Mora later affected Bangladesh and Myanmar.
By the evening of 25 May, theNational Building Research Organisation (NBRO) of Sri Lanka had issued a "Level 3 Red Alert" landslide warning for the districts ofRatnapura,Kegalle,Galle,Kalutara,Matara,Hambantota andNuwara Eliya.[12] Areas within Galle District became cut off due to landslides.[6] Part of theSouthern Expressway closed, owing to flooding between Colombo and Matara.[13] TheKelani River, which runs through Sri Lanka's largest cityColombo, measured a water level increase of 15.44 m (50.7 ft) by 9:30 a.m.Sri Lanka Time (15:00 UTC) on 27 May,[10] and peaked by 28 May.[8] As of 29 May, the Bolgoda Dam inPanadura was at a risk of collapse.[14]
The death toll included at least 45 school children. By 1 June, around 95 people remained missing.[15]
TheSri Lanka Armed Forces initially deployed nearly 10,000 personnel and equipment for relief, help and rescue operations.[6] This is the biggest deployment of troops during peacetime in Sri Lanka.[16]
TheSri Lanka Army deployed more than 1700 Army personnel of 17 Battalions, includingCommando,Special Forces,Mechanized Infantry and Army medical personnel.BTRs,WMZs troop carriers and 30 Army boats and other machinery were deployed by the Army for the rescue operations. The Army also deployed sandbags for flood defenses.[17][18][19]
TheSri Lanka Navy deployed over 110 search-and-rescue teams comprising 776 naval personnel along with 116 relief boats.[20] The Navy began rescue work along theKelani River by 19 May.[1]
TheSri Lanka Air Force deployedMil Mi-17s,Bell 212s, andBell 412 helicopters to rescue the affected in all areas. Flights involvingB200 Beechcraft were deployed for continuous reconnaissance/observations over affected areas.[21]
During search and rescue operations aSri Lanka Air ForceMil Mi-17E crashed over theBaddegama area, but no one aboard the chopper was injured.[22] One member of the response team died from injuries sustained while conducting rescue operations.[23]
At least 77,000 people were evacuated from the floods and relocated to safe locations. Sixteen hospitals in the flood-affected areas were also evacuated.[24]
Foreign Minister told "16 countries had rushed relief supplies and medicine".[25]
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India – India sent its first shipINS Kirch with 40 tonnes of relief materials, a second relief shipINS Shardul with specialized rescue, diving and medical teams and relief material and the third shipINS Jalashwa with additional relief materials.[26]
China – China sent relief items worth US$2.2 million. ThreePeople's Liberation Army Navy ships (Type 052C destroyer,Type 054A frigate andType 903 replenishment ship) arrived at port in Colombo with relief materials and medical teams for victims.[27][28]
USA – The US AmbassadorAtul Keshap expressed his condolences on behalf of the United States and pledged willingness to help in relief efforts.[29] US contributes approximately Rs. 350 million (US$2.3 million).[30] On June 11,USS Lake Erie (CG-70) arrived inColombo to join withSri Lanka Navy for post flood recovery operations.[31].jpg)
Singapore – The Singapore government donated US$100,000 through theSingapore Red Cross to support its relief efforts in Sri Lanka. Separately, Singapore Red Cross distributed US$50,000 worth of relief items to the affected communities.[32]
UK – TheUK High CommissionerJames Dauris expressed his condolences and assured support.[29]
Pakistan – Pakistan has sent hospital and relief materials through two cargo flights, along with doctors.[33] Pakistan's naval shipPNS Zulfiquar arrived atColombo with relief materials and a medical team to assist in relief operations.[34]
Australia – Australia promised AUD $500,000 (Rs. 57 million) to meet urgent needs, including the deployment of high-grade inflatable boats and outboard motors for search and rescue missions.[27]
Israel – TheIsraeli ambassador to India and Sri Lanka, Daniel Carmon, delivered relief items.[35]
Maldives – The Maldivian government donated US$250,000 (38 million) and flood relief aids.[36]
Korea – The Korean government donated US$250,000 (38 million) and flood relief aids.[37]