Sri Lanka Navy said it has stepped-up flood relief operations following the adverse weather condition and naval personnel are currently engaged in relief missions.
Promptly responding to the situation, 39 Navy relief teams with 37 dinghies have been deployed in relief work in the Southern, Western, Sabaragamuwa and North Western provinces since 20th May.
Naval personnel attached to the Marine Battalion, Rapid Response Rescue and Relief Unit (4RU), Special Boat Squadron (SBS) and Diving Unit of Sri Lanka Navy have already been deployed on rescue and relief missions.
Meanwhile, the Navy Spokesman Commander Dinesh Bandara said navy troops recued at least 172 people including nine pregnant women, marooned by the flood waters. Among the rescued were 130 flood victims in Walalawita, 21 in Nikaweratiya, 9 pregnant women in Kalawana, 9 people at Serathkuliya in Anamaduwa and three in Giriulla.
A team of Navy personnel from the SBS had been deployed to remove debris collected underside of the Wakwella Bridge over Gin Ganga in Galle and another bridge located at Aviththava, Mathugama in Kalutara district posing flood threats.
A team of Navy Divers was sent to clean the nonoperational Water Treatment Plant in Raddolugama area and bring the facility to operational condition.
Meanwhile, naval personnel attached to the 4RU recued a group of distressed people due to flash floods in Madampe area and transferred them to safety.
In addition, the Navy has sent several trucks loaded with mobile kitchens, food preparing and heating utensils, lavatories, tents, water pumps and other essential items which can be used in an emergency situation to Ratnapura district.
