Assistance
The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) will officially launch a new webbased system for more efficient service in providing assistance in emergency situations.
With the new system, users could make a host of requests such as for evacuation, medical facilities, location of missing persons etc. and the progress of the responses will be monitored until the requests are fulfilled. The website will be found at: 177.dmc. gov.lk when it goes live and will operate in addition to the emergency operation centre hotline, 177 and 011 267002 24. right and left of the axis of the path,” Divisional Secretary R.T.P. Sumanasekera said. These people will also be permanently resettled once suitable resettlement land is identified.
The project officers and the CEB agreed to pay monthly rent for the duration of their temporary shelter until the resettlement, the Divisional Secretary added.
According to the NBRO, 2,129 families in total have been evacuated from their houses since the spate of disastrous landslides in the Kegalle District began with the Aranayake landslide that killed at least 45 people and left about 163 others missing.
NBRO Landslides Research and Risk Management Division Director R. M. S. Bandara said NBRO officials were visiting various sites in Kegalle district for investigations and would also examine areas marked for resettlement.
He said the task of finding good plots was difficult and complicated and officials would consider factors such as accessibility and terrain.
About 2,600 families are living in temporary shelters and being provided with dry rations, Kegalle District Secretary W. M. Abeywickrama Wanasooriya said. Two schools remain closed, providing shelter to the displaced. Altogether 900 acres of land has been identified for resettlement.
Disaster Management Centre ( DMC) spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said the DMC was assessing landslide and flooding damage to houses and other buildings in Kegalle, Colombo and other areas for payment of compensation.
“The assessments will be completed soon,” Mr Kodippilli added.
He could not say how soon the money could be given to the property- holders. Payments would range from Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 25,000,000 depending on the extent of damage, he said, adding, “Those who lost their houses could get the full benefit”.