Several areas in the Jaffna district have been hit by severe flooding due to the adverse weather conditions caused by the cyclone.
People are facing serious challenges in their livelihoods with the number of families which were affected. Accordingly, the Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, visited the flood-affected areas and observed the situation with his own eyes.
The Minister first met the displaced families in the shelters and inquired about their immediate needs, health condition and the safety of children and the elderly. As per the Minister’s instructions, the people staying there were provided with emergency relief items including dry food items, drinking water and baby items.
The Minister held special discussions with health officials to ensure the prompt establishment of essential medical facilities to prevent health hazards arising from the rising water levels. Measures to control infectious diseases that may spread due to floods, dispatch of medical teams, distribution of emergency medical supplies, etc. were discussed.
The Minister also held an emergency coordination meeting with the District Secretary, Police, Army, Navy and Security Forces. He ordered to take immediate measures to provide relief including evacuation of people from flood-affected areas, shifting families staying in low-lying areas to safe camps and providing boat facilities.
Specially, additional rescue teams have been sent to rescue families still stranded in some areas of the Northern Province. As basic facilities including electricity, drinking water and road connectivity have been affected, urgent efforts are being made to restore them.
Minister Chandrasekar assured that the safety of the flood-affected people is the first priority and that relief and rescue measures will be carried out without any delay on behalf of the government.
Officials are urging the public to remain vigilant until the rains subside.
