Flooding & Devastation due to the Typhoon Nisha

Eight people died and 268,038 persons belonging to 73,523 families were severely affected by the torrential downpour and gale-force winds that plagued the Jaffna peninsula in the past four days according to statistics released by A. Sivasamy, the Additional Government Agent (AGA) Jaffna. 6,689 houses have been totally destroyed while 14,820 have been partly damaged, the statistics further revealed.

Since 22nd November 2008, there has been 719.4 mm of rainfall and cyclonic winds up to 80km/hr in the Jaffna peninsula causing widespread flooding. There has been no electricity since 25th November 2008. The sea level increased overnight & causeways have been submerged, isolating the Islands off the main Jaffna Peninsula. In some areas, the situation has been adversely affected by the blocking of drainage canals.

In Mannar district nearly 3,000 families have been displaced (2,555 in the Mannar DS

division, 122 in Nanaddan and 355 in Madhu). Most displaced families are accommodated in public buildings such as schools and religious institutions.

As the number of displaced persons continues to grow, relief camps would overcrowd, leading to the spread of communicable diseases. Hygiene conditions are generally very poor with the lack of sufficient toilets, resulting in open defecation. Already cases of fever and diarrhoea have been reported. Given the scorching heat, unsafe drinking water and poor hygiene conditions, the affected numbers could increase.

Restoring the ground water wells filled with dirty flood water will be the most critical function in bringing Jaffna peninsula including the Vanni and Mannar Districts to normalcy. 90% of the population in affected areas depends on ground water for daily consumption. Flooding in Sri Lanka usually causes infectious water-borne diseases, e.g. malaria, dengue, chikungunya, common cold (type A) etc. According to the

government authorities, the food reserves for Jaffna are also affected as the main road access to Jaffna via A9 highway has been closed due to the on going civil war. There are delays of essential goods reaching the Peninsula as the transport of these goods is dependent on sea transport,

Most of the farm land and crops too have been damaged due to the flooding and this will result in loss of livelihood and income for several families. According to the local government authorities 60% of the local trade and industries have been affected by the flood. Further more, it could take another 4 weeks for the displaced to return to their homes & return to normalcy.

Soon after the rain ceased (after 5 days) ADT prepared & distributed cooked meals to the displaced families in the welfare camps, schools & churches. ADT provided Cowpea, Brown Gram, Bread & Aval (flatten rice) for more than 800 people.

ADT distributed relief packs to 850 families in Nallur division in partnership with UN agencies. The relief pack consisted of a floor mat, a bed sheet, sanitary soap, a towel, a hurricane lantern, a water container, a bucket & a mosquito net.

MOBILE MEDICAL CAMPS

Four organizations (SLRC, ADT, Holy Cross hospital & TRRO) are involved in medical clinics in Jaffna coordinated by the Medical Officer of Health. ADT initiated medical clinics in Kopay division which includes 13 welfare centers.

WATER & SANITATION

It is reported that more than 5000 wells have been filled by the flood water in Jaffna region. The Education department along with DPDHS & UNICEF is coordinating the Water & Sanitation activities. They have requested organizations to clean wells in 600 locations where the annual O/L exam centers are being held. ADT Jaffna office has been assigned to clean the wells of 51 schools in the Valikamam division. Water cleaning operations will commence as soon as the water levels decrease. This activity will be conducted with the local authorities & volunteers in Valikamam division.

MOSQUITO CONTROL & PROVSION OF MOSQUITO NETS

ADT held discussions with the Department of Health Services & the local municipal councils to eliminate possible mosquito breeding sources by spraying appropriate chemicals to control mosquito breeding. We are in the process of identifying vulnerable communities & providing them with mosquito nets to prevent mosquito borne diseases.