Rescue & Flood Relief Operations of the Army, Navy & Air Force are
Underway
(Media Release)
[May 27
2017]
Thousands of tri-service personnel, including more
than 1000 Army personnel are currently continuing with their rescue and
relief operations in close coordination with the Disaster Management
Centre (DMC), District & Divisional Secretariats, Police and other
authorities in flood-affected areas after torrential rains hit several
provinces in the island.
Army troops by Friday (26) evening, together with 13
Navy rescue and relief groups and Air Force reconnaissance teams are
deployed in worst-affected Pahiyangala, Palindanuwara, Bulathsinhala,
Kalawana, Wellampitiya, Padukka, Neluwa, Morawaka, Kamburupitiya,
Weeraketiya, Beliatta, Deiyandara, Thawalama, Mulatiyana, Walasmulla,
Rathnapura, Ellawala, Parakaduwa, Baduwatta, Pitakanda, Dehiowita Road,
Arangodakanda, Eheliyagoda and several other places for emergency
services.
More than 1000 Army personnel of 12 Battalions,
including Commandos of the 58 Division and the 14 Division are currently
serving in worst-affected areas. Likewise, hundreds of displaced people,
most of who had been victims of landslides in Arangodakanda in
Eheliyagoda, Baduwatta in Pitakanda and several other badly-hit areas
were evacuated to temporary shelters by Army troops in respective areas.
Six BTR troops carriers with 85 Army personnel have
been meanwhile deployed in worst-hit Bulathsinhala areas by Friday (26)
evening while the Air Force has made six helicopters available for
rescue and reconnaissance operations.
As flood levels were fast rising due to torrential
rains in the past 72 hours, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant
General Crisanthe De Silva instructed the Security Force Headquarters -
West (SFHQ-West), commanded by Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe to take
stock of the worsening developments and deploy the troops for relief
operations. Accordingly, troops of the Security Force Headquarters -
West, 58 Division and the 14 Division have now been deployed for these
emergency services.
In addition, considering DMC reports, extra Army troop
contingents have now been kept on standby since water levels in Kalu
River, Kelani River and Gin River are reportedly fast rising. (Ends)
Courtesy: Army Media Unit
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