Navy relief teams kept on standby to engage in flood emergencies
 

While continuing its flood relief duties following the inclement weather that slashed communities across the island, the Navy has deployed 41 relief teams belonging to the Marine Battalion, Rapid Response Rescue and Relief Unit (4RU), Special Boat Squadron (SBS) and Diving Unit along with 41 dinghies to engage in relief and rescue efforts promptly. Accordingly, the naval personnel are executing their relief missions in the Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa and North Western provinces as of now.

Meanwhile, a team of SBS personnel was deployed on 20 May 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 last evening (22).

Apart from that, a group of distressed persons, due to flash floods, in Kelaniya, Biyagama area was rescued and transferred to safe locations by naval personnel attached to the 4RU. Further, a Navy Operations Room has been set up at the Rathnapura Disaster Management Centre under the supervision of Commander (IT) Nadeera Kulapathi to disseminate necessary information to relief teams deployed in the area.

Besides, naval personal attached to the 4RU managed to rescue and relocate a group of elderly mothers staying in an elderly home at Pothuvila, Madampe and several pregnant mothers at Divulgoda, Delgoda whom were stranded by flash floods. Meanwhile, troops attached to the Rapid Action Boat Squadron saved 3 persons dragged by the gushing waters near the Mahawewa Bridge in Madampe. Further, naval flood relief teams will continue to carry out rescue and relief operations in a bid to save the lives of the displaced communities even amidst adverse weather conditions.