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Thursday, 28 May 2020 00:30 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
By Nuwan Senarathna
As the Southwest Monsoon gets into swing, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) yesterday assured it has included COVID-19 mitigation and social distancing measures into its disaster response measures.
Speaking to reporters, DMC Director General Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe said that DMC had decided to take extra precautions due to the risk of COVID-19 and measures would be taken to maintain social distancing at relief centres.
“DMC, Meteorology Department, National Building Research Organisation and Irrigation Department will work closely to prepare for any disaster situation that could arise due to the Southwest Monsoon and house those might be affected due to adverse weather at safe locations,” he said.
According to the Major General, the DMC identified eight districts that could be affected by adverse weather. Accordingly, Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Galle, Matara, Puttalam, Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura will be monitored closely.
He noted a quarantine centre would be established in all districts that were identified as prone to floods or landslides. Major General Ranasinghe pointed out that the decision was taken to prevent any outbreak of the virus during a natural disaster.
“We will use quarantine centres to house those who are advised to self-quarantine. We do not want to take any risk; therefore every precaution will be taken under the guidance of health experts.”
He also said the DMC also decided to encourage the public look for accommodation at relations’ homes to minimise the number of people housed at relief centres. However, he noted relief items such as dry rations will be provided to them.
“District Secretaries were informed to house a limited number of people at a single relief centre to prevent the spread if COVID-19. We have informed District Secretaries to take necessary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department said due to the low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka, the prevailing showery condition would be expected to enhance further over the island particularly in the South-western part of the island.
“Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and southern provinces. Heavy rainfalls above 150 mm can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces,” the Meteorology Department said.
The Meteorology Department also noted that showers or thundershowers would occur at several places in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa and Mullaitivu districts after 2.00 p.m. Wind speed could be increased up to 40 kmph at times over the island.
National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) Director-General Asiri Karunawardena said that more than 10,000 families had been identified to be located in high-risk areas. He noted the public was advised to be cautious to pre landslide signs.
The NBRO yesterday issued Landslide Early Warning for several areas in seven districts due to the prevailing inclement weather conditions.
Accordingly, the early warning has been issued for parts of Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle, Kalutara and Matara districts.
