2010 Colombo floods
Encyclopedia
The 2010 Colombo floods were an isolated incident that took place during the evening of 10th November to approximately noon on the 11th of November, in Colombo
. As a low-pressure area developed over the city, up to 490 mm (19.3 in) of rain fell during the short period of 15 hours overnight, causing widespread damage and flooding in the area; the highest amount of rainfall in 18 years. A joint Government-UN
assessment was launched on the 13th to understand the level of damage in the affected areas.
, the heavy rains displaced over 260,000 people in Colombo and suburbs. Heavy rains also submerged the parliament
under 4 ft (122 cm) of water, and damaged 257 houses, while completely destroying 11. Current death toll stands at 1.
The Ministry of Education
have also requested all schools to be closed during the period., while the Ministry of Labour Relations entitled paid-leave for government employees.
Multiple grid substations
were also shut down by the Ceylon Electricity Board
in various locations in Colombo, due to the risk of being submerged. Leading to power outages in multiple areas.
troops were deployed to relief flood victims on the ground, while the Navy deployed trawlers to provide food and transportation in the affected areas. The DMC
also disbursed Rs.
20 million (≈180,000 USD
) to relief efforts.
The Sri Lanka navy and army also made public appeals asking flood victims to contact them for relief assistance. Television and radio stations repeatedly broadcast their contact numbers.
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
. As a low-pressure area developed over the city, up to 490 mm (19.3 in) of rain fell during the short period of 15 hours overnight, causing widespread damage and flooding in the area; the highest amount of rainfall in 18 years. A joint Government-UN
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
assessment was launched on the 13th to understand the level of damage in the affected areas.
Damage
According to the Disaster Management CentreMinistry of Disaster Management and Human Rights (Sri Lanka)
The Cabinet Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights was established in terms of the gazette notification issued on 20 February 2006. The Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe was appointed as the first Minister of this new Ministry by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapakse...
, the heavy rains displaced over 260,000 people in Colombo and suburbs. Heavy rains also submerged the parliament
Parliament of Sri Lanka
The Parliament of Sri Lanka is the 225-member unicameral legislature of Sri Lanka. The members of Parliament are elected by proportional representation for six-year terms, with universal suffrage. Parliament reserves the power to make all laws...
under 4 ft (122 cm) of water, and damaged 257 houses, while completely destroying 11. Current death toll stands at 1.
The Ministry of Education
Ministry of Education (Sri Lanka)
The Ministry Of Education is a ministry of the Government of Sri Lanka that directs the formulation and implementation of policies related to primary and secondary education in Sri Lanka...
have also requested all schools to be closed during the period., while the Ministry of Labour Relations entitled paid-leave for government employees.
Multiple grid substations
Electrical substation
A substation is a part of an electrical generation, transmission, and distribution system. Substations transform voltage from high to low, or the reverse, or perform any of several other important functions...
were also shut down by the Ceylon Electricity Board
Ceylon Electricity Board
The Ceylon Electricity Board , is the largest electricity company in Sri Lanka. With a market share of nearly 100%, it controls all major functions of electricity generation, transmission, distribution and retailing in Sri Lanka. It is one of the only two on-grid electricity companies in the...
in various locations in Colombo, due to the risk of being submerged. Leading to power outages in multiple areas.
Relief efforts
The government deployed Air Force Bell 212 helicopters to assist in aerial assessments and missions to rescue stranded people. 1,800 Sri Lankan ArmySri Lankan Army
The Sri Lanka Army is the oldest and largest of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces and is responsible for land-based military and humanitarian operations. Established as the Ceylon Army in 1949, it was renamed when Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972...
troops were deployed to relief flood victims on the ground, while the Navy deployed trawlers to provide food and transportation in the affected areas. The DMC
Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights (Sri Lanka)
The Cabinet Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights was established in terms of the gazette notification issued on 20 February 2006. The Hon. Mahinda Samarasinghe was appointed as the first Minister of this new Ministry by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapakse...
also disbursed Rs.
Sri Lankan rupee
The rupee is the currency of Sri Lanka, divided into 100 cents. It is issued by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka and is generally written Rs. The rupee (Sinhala: රුපියල , Tamil: ரூபாய்) (sign: ₨; code: LKR) is the currency of Sri Lanka, divided into 100 cents. It is issued by the Central Bank of Sri...
20 million (≈180,000 USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
) to relief efforts.
The Sri Lanka navy and army also made public appeals asking flood victims to contact them for relief assistance. Television and radio stations repeatedly broadcast their contact numbers.
External links
- The floods that wreaked havoc; aerial photographs by the Sri Lanka Air Force
- Flood in Colombo-Katunayaka road. Come early: Sri Lankan Airlines requests passengers