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Only three bodies found - DMC

29 October 2014 03:54 am - 63     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Contradicting earlier reports issued by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) about the dead bodies recovered from the Koslanda landslide, DMC Assistant Director Pradeep Kodippili said yesterday that only three dead bodies were found related to the landslide.

 

He also said that the actual number of the missing people was around 100.

 

There were no dead bodies found yesterday during the search operations in the area, he added.

 


2014-10-29 09:24:52 - 192 people still missing

 

DMC Assistant Director Pradeep Kodippili said according to the latest information 192 people were believed to be missing in yesterday’s landslide at Meeriyabedda estate and rescue operations were underway.

 

He said the Army and Police personnel were engaged in rescue operations while five teams from the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) were also deployed in the rescue mission.

 

Rescue operations were halted last evening because of heavy rains.

 

He said 817 displaced people were being sheltered in two camps at Ampitikanda and Koslanda.

 

However, there were contradictory reports on the exact number of the dead and the missing.


According to Police Spokesman Ajith Rohana, only three dead bodies were found in the incident.


“According to confirmed police reports as of 12 noon today, we discovered three bodies including a body of 6-year-old girl. The displaced persons at the two camps complained that 19 people have gone missing,” he said.


He said 65-70 houses were destroyed in the landslide. According to the police 210-220 people had lived in the affected area and 190 of them were sheltered at the camps.

 

 

Video by Sanath Desmond

 


 

2014-10-29 09:24:52  -  150 trapped; 150 safe in Badulla landslide

 

Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said 150 people were trapped under the rubble while another 75 children and 75 adults were safe following this morning’s landslide at Meeriyabedda estate in Haldummulla.

 

Minister Amaraweera said 330 people had been living at the location and the children who had gone to school and the adults who had gone out for work at the time of the tragedy escaped.

 


 

2014-10-28 09:24:52  -  300 believed trapped in Badulla landslide

 

More than three hundred people are believed to be trapped in this morning’s land slide at Haldummulla in Badulla while eight bodies have been recovered, Disaster Management Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.

 

The land slide had also destroyed 120 estate line rooms and three government quarters.

 

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said an area of about two kilometres had been affected in the landslide.  

 

DMC Assistant Director Udayakumara said that the rescue operations are underway with the help of the army and the police. Meanwhile, Military Spokesman RuwanWanigasuriya said 500 soldiers have been deployed in the rescue mission.

 

Air force spokesman Gihan Seneviratne said a BEL 212 helicopter was on standby in Nuwara Eliya because the adverse weather had made it impossible to get to Badulla.

 

Wing Commander Seneviratne said a M17 helicopter was also on standby at the Ratmalana domestic airport for any emergency.

 

Meanwhile The DMC said two camps were set up at Ampitikanda and Koslanda to provide shelter to people living in vulnerably areas close to the Meeriyabedda estate and some 100 people are being sheltered there at present.

 

A contingent of more than 500 army soldiers have been currently conducting rescue operations with the help of other agencies and moved sections of displaced people into two common halls in Koslanda, army said.

 

They said the Army was busy preparing meals and other requirements of those affected at present. (Chaturanga Pradeep)

 

WATCH ►►►

Video by Prasanna Padmasiri Bandara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pix by Prasanna Padmasiri Bandara


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  Comments - 63

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  • shakthi Thursday, 30 October 2014 10:28 PM

    Let us join hands in prayers, and our deep condolence to all family members and thank for helping forces. Special thank my country forces.

    kuma jayawardena Thursday, 30 October 2014 11:02 AM

    the govenment and specially minst should get responsibility for this

    Laminate Thursday, 30 October 2014 11:07 AM

    Our soldiers not trained to situation like this, see all are standing on the rubles and at least they do not wear safety helmets, anyway lets pray for the victims and the families....

    Saleem Thursday, 30 October 2014 11:35 AM

    we cut trees produce papers and mentioned on the same papersSAVE THE TREES

    JOTHY Thursday, 30 October 2014 12:53 PM

    Safety first.so forces people think their safety first.

    rizan Thursday, 30 October 2014 01:08 PM

    srilanka current situ....

    Vaidy S Thursday, 30 October 2014 01:15 PM

    Realistic compensation for loss of life should be provided to the next of kin expeditiously

    Vaidy S Thursday, 30 October 2014 01:15 PM

    Realistic compensation for loss of life should be provided to the next of kin expeditiously

    Franz Richter Thursday, 30 October 2014 03:52 PM

    In 1985 I spent several months in this area with an international group teaching Transcendental Meditation to people in schools and tea estates. The great MP, Mr Lokubandara, probably the father of the present MP, had invited us as he wanted the two ethnic groups and the four religions in his electorate to live together peacefully. Especially the two schools (Tamil and Singhalese) at Haldummulla and our shelter at the Beragala junction I remember vividly. What a shock to read that my dear Haldummulla region was hit now by such a disaster. My thoughts go to Lanka Mata and I very much hope she will care for her children.

    Saroja Thursday, 30 October 2014 04:00 PM

    then do nothing and leave everything God? God gave the responsibility to you, prayer!

    arumugam thirumaran Thursday, 30 October 2014 04:09 PM

    realy very sad news goverment want response

    CITIZEN Thursday, 30 October 2014 04:15 PM

    Where are the politicians who represent them? If those fellows looked into their welfare and wellbeing and fulfilled their rightful needs these disasters could have been avoided. Instead, those fellows enjoy power and perks on their name and thrive in life on their poverty and misery! God is very unfair. He should have made those fellows to face this disaster instead of this unfortunate people! My deepest sympathies for bereauved.

    Dr S. DeSilva Thursday, 30 October 2014 05:05 PM

    These are very poor people working in tea estates and living in "lines".News item says "Minister asks why did not the householders move out when they were warned a year earlier that the area is unstable and prone to landslides. Where are they going to move? Surely the estate management should have provided housing in a safe area. The Ministry or local councilshould have looked into alternative safe housing. It is their responsibility and that is why they are elected.

    Sylvia Haik Thursday, 30 October 2014 07:04 PM

    Most of the victims are poor estate workers who did not have a hand in the uncontrolled felling of trees by the rich estate owners. The trees that were there for hundreds of years also held back the soil from eroding which gives rise to mud slides after a torrent.

    Norrish newlen Thursday, 30 October 2014 07:23 PM

    I will be pray for them

    BabaBoo Thursday, 30 October 2014 09:59 PM

    From the cover photograph, it seems the Sri Lanka military is not trained for such an rescue operation. Basically the need to be wearing helmets and carrying a set of basic tools on the waist, just in case it is needed.

    Ran Thursday, 30 October 2014 10:56 AM

    Well, I disagree with that, government authorities did inform them about the disaster and provided with new houses which they never move in to.

    rathnayake Thursday, 30 October 2014 11:14 PM

    We are living in a country where there is no proper planing and those who have power in hand destroy the environment for petty gains without thinking about the repercussions which it may brings on the entire present and future nation.Now see the things which are happening along the newly constructed high ways.Even the filling of sea for political gains one day will bring disasters to the entire country. Similarly even the coal power plants will become a environmental hazard in near future .We are a nation very unfortunate.We don´t have leaders with far sight.

    Henry Friday, 31 October 2014 04:13 AM

    Sincere thanks for constructive critics and sharing your knowledge and awareness. Few are yet aligned to useless politics. Well, what was understood from the comments is that these disastrous areas were identified earlier and proper warnings were issued, well in such a situation if proved scientifically those areas are prone to earth slides the Estate Owners should be advised / warned and for necessary action [relocating with better living conditions]. If not the Owners should be fined and the the areas should be vested by the government and declare them as Non-residential reserves where proper vegetation could be established. The effected people should be moved to a safer location by the Government and the expenses should be charged to the Estate Owners. At this point I specifically wish to state that these are blunders by the Estate owners who build their luxury bungalows in best and safest locations within the estate while the estate lines [workers dwellings] are made at unsafe and insecure locations within. Even the basic education for the children of these poor families were neglected to ensure uninterrupted cheap labor force force.

    Varun prasanth Friday, 31 October 2014 07:13 AM

    I will be pray for them very sad

    Binu Jayaratne Friday, 31 October 2014 07:53 AM

    so sda to hera this news,hope that quick actions will be taken to settle the incident!

    fil Friday, 31 October 2014 08:43 AM

    Whats are you writing? "According to the police 210-220 people had lived in the affected area and 190 of them were sheltered at the camps" "19 people have gone missing"Then how come the "actual number of the missing people was around 100."?And nice reporting.

    TW Friday, 31 October 2014 09:04 AM

    he can do only the commenting. nothing else.

    bababoo Friday, 31 October 2014 09:21 AM

    They all standing and watching. I guess for a miracle and the people to popup from the mud.

    weerasinghe Friday, 31 October 2014 09:30 AM

    Most areas in nuwara eliya badulla ratnapura in sri lanka in danger.certain entities responsible for not giving proper warnings to people.now a days there are lot of land sales in these danger zones in mountain areas.some people buying these lands without proper consideration.most of them think only about panoramic views and low prices,please beware of geographical solidity.

    L.perera Friday, 31 October 2014 09:55 AM

    Only an IDIOT like you will try to make political mileage from a distaster for innocent people . Shut up and go help the rescue operation.

    Chryshan Friday, 31 October 2014 11:28 AM

    The rescue operation is stopped. They are just hanging around. Govt does not want to take the bodies out and face the big publicity it will create which will be a disadvantage for the future election. They wants to say its risky to remove earth and just let the bodies be as it is. This is politics in Sri Lanka.

    AstonisheD Friday, 31 October 2014 02:08 PM

    So, what does the assistant director of DMC trying to tell by recovering only three bodies. The rest of the missing 190 are illegally migrated?? Nonsense. Get together with the Forces and start finding them without discouraging them an beating the bush.

    Yours truly Friday, 31 October 2014 02:13 PM

    Hats off to you Dr De S SilvaAptly said.

    Ramesh Friday, 31 October 2014 07:10 PM

    pl pray for all family members who are victims

    ම.ආ.උ. ශාන්ත Friday, 31 October 2014 09:42 PM

    මෙම ව්‍යසනය පිළිබඳව රජය දැනුවත්ව සිට ඇත්තේ 2005 වසරේ සිටයි.මෙම වතුකරය ආශ්‍රීතව තේ දලු නෙළී මෙන් ජීවිකාව ගෙන ගිය මෙම මිනිසුන් අදාල දැනුවත්කිරීම කළ පමණින් යන්නේ කොතැනකද? මෙම පවුල් 70ට අදාළ ඉඩම් ලබාදී නිවාස ඉදිකරදීම රජයේ මුලිකත්වයෙන් සිදුවිය %

    jayabal17 Friday, 07 November 2014 09:26 PM

    real remaining meeriabedda people are few family they are suffering with out food and power they have been isolated no body seems worry about them they are living above disaster area they have not any relief many visiting observe earth slip it seems out sider only getting all the relief

    Shan Wednesday, 29 October 2014 07:40 PM

    Very pathetic scene, the poor are always the victims of natural disasters. It is sad to see in the photos, there is no quick movements of those rescue workers, they are like on-lookers.

    sobers Wednesday, 29 October 2014 01:10 PM

    Very sad situation. They all belong to poor labour force, who toil hard for the estate sector and a neglected lot too. Maximum support and rescue mission should be in force. God save them!

    srimahal Wednesday, 29 October 2014 01:36 PM

    people and nation must rise to the situation to help these affected innocents

    Spitfire Wednesday, 29 October 2014 02:00 PM

    NBRO has been warning about this for years. No responsible person has taken any action!!!!

    Dilan Wednesday, 29 October 2014 02:29 PM

    Right time us to rethink about the environment to avoid this kind of disasters in future.

    yuga Wednesday, 29 October 2014 04:02 PM

    Very sad situation. Hope the rescuers will be able to get the survivors in time. Wish a better tomorrow for all the underprivileged in the country.

    Just Another Citizen Wednesday, 29 October 2014 04:06 PM

    Plant more trees....

    Saskia Wednesday, 29 October 2014 04:14 PM

    My deep condolences to those who lost their loved ones.

    Rvijayanathan Wednesday, 29 October 2014 04:42 PM

    My dear all I am very sad with is, and Officers please try to recover the people soon who is in alive.Thank you

    anushkalovell Wednesday, 29 October 2014 04:44 PM

    Our prayers go to all those affected by this tragedy, and their families as well I do not understand why the Govt did not react earlier by by moving these families to safer areas, when they knew how the recent weather patterns were / are and the high probability of landslides. Look at how Indian reacted to the recent cyclone. Surely, steps can be taken in advance. While they may be reacting now, it like :closing the door after the horse has bolted"

    Mano Wednesday, 29 October 2014 04:47 PM

    What a disaster for the down trodden community.The politician who were seen very active in the recent past are not to to be seen. Thanks to the Great Armed Forces for the services rendered by them.The up country trade Unions are fully aware of this conditions.As rightly said many a time they visit these people only to grab their votes. Now is the time for these parties to do something constructive for these poor people

    sunil kumara Wednesday, 29 October 2014 04:54 PM

    never again such sorrowful insidents !!!

    sunthara paandiyan . tamilnadu Wednesday, 29 October 2014 05:17 PM

    our deep condolence to all family members and thank for helping forces

    ANTON Wednesday, 29 October 2014 05:25 PM

    WE HAVE VERY POOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN SRILANKA, OFFICIALS WHO PLAN THESE THINGS WILL TRY TO PASS THE BUCK AND THEIR SUPERIORS WILL START WASHING THEIR CLOTHES.

    carlion Wednesday, 29 October 2014 06:47 PM

    My heart goes out to the innocent people who live a very lowly life. Looking at the pictures I see so many people standing around but only a very few are doing anything. Volunteer work does not mean just being there.

    Dinesh Wednesday, 29 October 2014 07:35 PM

    Time for some people to make their wallets bigger.....

    Henry Wednesday, 29 October 2014 11:59 AM

    So sad to hear about the persons trapped, since Sri Lanka does not have volcanoes guess the DMC should be well equipped with qualified personnel to alarm people in insecure areas where land slides are predictable and relocate them in suitable places. Wish speedy recovery of the affected by the forces and assist to recover back.

    vyravan prasath,rohan,dhaso,mithra, Wednesday, 29 October 2014 08:26 PM

    please accept my deepest sympathies all

    Ramjith Wednesday, 29 October 2014 08:28 PM

    Our heartfelt condolences to the poor victims

    Kish Wednesday, 29 October 2014 09:23 PM

    Well said henry..these officials are good for nothing .. Atleast from now let them find the area which are vulnerable to landslide .. Remove all line houses at the earliest and build them a seperate house .. Politicians and government officials please do something to these poor victims..

    Kish Wednesday, 29 October 2014 09:25 PM

    Well said .. Government officials please wake up..

    hubert Wednesday, 29 October 2014 09:30 PM

    this is due to a possible environemntal violation during the past 5 yeras unfortuntely we do not have the know how to find out

    gamunu Wednesday, 29 October 2014 09:34 PM

    So sad to see this happen, but it was a case when this was going to happen. This is not unique to SriLanka. This kind of tragedy is rife throughout the developing world and also in some south American countries. When corrupt and greedy individuals destroy natural forests in the hunt of timber for a quick buck they do so with scant regard to the environment and the future generations. In Srilanka even politicians and PS members and even others with political backing still go ahead with destroying our valuable natural forests. It is no secret that felling of valuable trees and other plants is the cause of soil erosion that makes land slides

    mangal Wednesday, 29 October 2014 09:35 PM

    people and nation must rise to the situation to help these affected innocents

    Roninson Jesiah Wednesday, 29 October 2014 10:26 PM

    Let us join hands in prayers.

    Chandler Thursday, 30 October 2014 03:06 AM

    Need of the hour is the rescue operation,Those who are conducting should look after them first (no more casualties). Later set up a high level professional committee to learn the lessons so that we can avoid such situations and how to handle situation better.

    sss Thursday, 30 October 2014 03:59 AM

    Government did all they can do. The disaster management center warn the residents and took no actions

    Muthyavan. Thursday, 30 October 2014 06:26 AM

    My deepest sympathy with these poor hard working people. Who have helped this nation by their generation of hard work in the most difficult terrains situated in the tea industry. Hope the government together with the international society will do their best to make these people come out from this worst tragedy.

    T Wickramatatna Thursday, 30 October 2014 08:19 AM

    Ranil call over the TV is very appropriate. All sri lankans should join hands and help those effected, without any political strings

    chanaka Thursday, 30 October 2014 08:21 AM

    our deep sympathy.. via DM Android App

    Kiri Gamarala Thursday, 30 October 2014 10:38 AM

    DMC is just playing the role of the Social Services Department. That is to provide relief to persons affected by disasters. The DMC was estalished to manage preventive measures. The NBRO functioning under the Ministry of Disaster Management can provide technical support in investigation and mapping. Their recommendations have to be carried out by District and Divisional Secretariats, Provincial Councils, Local Authorities and Infrastructure Agencies. When the Department of Meteorology predicts rains, the NBRO issues warnings but the DMC waits till disasters happen.


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