Flood waters may recede, but threat of diseases

Siripala Gamage reports from Horana Sunday 23 May that the period of monsoon rain is expected to start in southwestern Sri Lanka on Tuesday or Wednesday. This might translate as more flooding rain. But according to local newspapers, floods in many areas of Sri Lanka are now receding.

Siripala also warns of an outbreak of infectious and water-borne diseases in the coming days. Due to flooding, garbage pollutes fresh water sources, making them contaminated. Wells, lakes and streams are highly vulnerable. Fever, fatigue, headache, constipation or diarrhoea, red spots on the chest, skin diseases, frequent passing of faeces with blood, abdominal pain, nausea, weight loss and depression are some of the main symptoms of the common diseases. Provided access to funds, the local organization HELP plans to establish an ambulant medical clinic with a doctor and a nurse, in cooperation with local health authorities.

Also, an increase in malaria and dengue breeding might take place after the floods. HELP will organise children and youth to clean up water puddles, in an effort to combat breeding of the mosquitos.

During the last week, local government authorities have distributed food and water to displaced people. Two local villages, Yala and Anguruwatota 5-7 km south of Horana, are much damaged by the floods, according to Siripala. HELP has planned to purchase dried foods, milk powder and school books to the families that have been most affected and lost their properties. The two villages were also badly hit in 2008.