Megoda-Kolonnawa residents struggle to revive lives after devastating floods

A new construction near the river despite the area being vulnerable to floods 
(Pics by Kamanthi Wickramasinghe)

The messy aftermath of the floods that occurred in the wake of Cyclone Ditwah is evident for anyone who visits Megoda-Kolonnawa. In fact it is one of the worst flood-prone areas in Colombo as it is a low-lying settlement along the Kelani River basin. Flooding is a usual occurrence for people in this area. But that is the only setback for this prime location which is in high demand in the real estate market. 

Walking amidst piles of waste 

People’s belongings and garbage being piled on either side of the road is a usual sight for anybody visiting this area. Everything from mattresses to sofas, wooden furniture, pillows, cushions which were soaked as a result of floods have been dumped on either side of the road. Residents in this area are mostly daily wage earners who live in dire straits. In some places, people are seen drying clothes by the roadside as they have limited space within their own homes. The Daily Mirror learned that even though the Kelani River overflowed in places such as Kohilawatta, Megoda-Kolonnawa was inundated mainly due to rising water levels in several canals. Perhaps this is why there was a stench that emanated from time to time, raising concerns regarding the health of its residents. 

This time the magnitude of the floods was worse than what we experienced in 2016. We left, leaving our valuables behind. We could only take one or two extra clothes with us. Some small boutiques have incurred a loss of around Rs. 150 lakhs. So how can people make ends meet when a disaster of this nature strikes

- Mohamed Anwar, 
Boutique Owner

Starting from zero 

Megoda-Kolonnawa comprise small businesses such as boutiques which sell goods at prices sometimes even below the maximum retail price. Mohamed Anwar runs a small boutique in the area. “This time the magnitude of the floods was worse than what we experienced in 2016. We left, leaving our valuables behind. We could only take one or two extra clothes with us. Some small boutiques have incurred a loss of around Rs. 150 lakhs. So how can people make ends meet when a disaster of this nature strikes? The water levels started rising around 3.00am on November 27th morning. We still didn’t receive the Rs. 25,000 compensation promised by the government. Some private companies have provided us with food and cleaning equipment. The government should provide us with what has been promised even though it’s not enough,” he added.

Clearing the mess

As this writer moved towards the interiors of Megoda-Kolonnawa people were seen helping one another to clear the waste that had gathered at their doorsteps in the aftermath of the floods. Dilhani Lakshmi, who owned a small boutique that sold groceries and various sewing items, says that she cannot estimate the loss caused to her shop. The wooden shelves on which she used to store vegetables were broken and the rubble was piled opposite her shop. Her shop, which was once full of life, is now an empty store. Some items, after surviving the deluge, lie idle on a sole steel rack. 

Some houses don’t even have a pillow left. We have to clean this mess on our own. When we were asked to leave we did, but in fact we had nowhere to go. Most safe shelters such as schools and temples were packed. This is why many people decided to stay back despite evacuation orders 
- Dilhani Lakshmi, 
Boutique Owner

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, she said that those doing small businesses have been severely affected. “Some houses don’t even have a pillow left. We have to clean this mess on our own. When we were asked to leave we did, but in fact we had nowhere to go. Most safe shelters such as schools and temples were packed. This is why many people decided to stay back despite evacuation orders. Some people don’t have kitchen equipment to prepare a meal for themselves. So they have to depend on a donation. But it’s not like we get donations every day,” she said. 

It’s like living inside a tank. Nobody would want to evacuate. People should be given what has been promised 
- Hajiyar Mohideen, Resident of the area and politician representing Sri Lanka Muslim Congress

In this area there are more shops than houses, simply because people earn a living from these businesses. People didn’t have a place to keep their belongings. Many of Lakshmi’s yarn and lace items were destroyed due to floods. These items aren’t reusable. 

The Government of Sri Lankan has announced a comprehensive compensation package for recent disaster victims, which includes a one-time grant of Rs. 50,000 per household to purchase essential equipment and support initial resettlement needs. According to Lakshmi, the promised amount is not sufficient to even purchase mattresses and pillows. “People at least need Rs. 150,000 as initial resettlement needs. We still didn’t receive Rs. 25,000. They didn’t provide us with tablets to prevent leptospirosis infections. Now it’s too late because the water levels have receded. The government should at least provide us with an interest-free business loan to restart our businesses,” she opined. 

Demand for real estate

M. S Siraj earns a living by selling papers and bottles and has been living in a rented place for over 15 years. When asked why Megoda-Kolonnawa is in high demand despite being a flood-prone area, Siraj said that food is quite cheap and it costs around Rs. 100 to travel to the town in a three-wheeler. “Even though the rent is high, due to proximity and affordability many people prefer to live on rent in Megoda-Kolonnawa. Most people are in the informal sector. I sell papers and bottles for a living, but most of my items were robbed,” he added while cleaning the front yard of his house. 

Even though people know that it is a low-lying settlement they come to settle here because they need a place to stay. All my furniture in the first floor has been destroyed. It’s good if the President provides us with what he has promised 
- Cassim Iyoob, Resident of Ven. Ganananda Mawatha

During our visit, the Daily Mirror witnessed how a new building is being constructed adjacent to the river despite the area being affected by flooding. According to residents the minimum price of a perch of land is Rs. 25 lakhs and this rate as well as the demand for annexes, apartments and property continues to increase. 

A moment of harmony

The aftermath of the cyclone was an opportunity for people from all communities to unite and support one another. It was quite an emotional moment to see people from down South visiting Colombo, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya irrespective of their religions, supporting their fellow brothers and sisters to recover from the disaster. Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Wasantha Nimalmanike thanked the Muslim community for providing affected people with meals. “Some people came from afar to provide us with donations. But we still have hopes in this government,” she said. 

People’s expectations of the Govt.  

According to Cassim Iyoob, another resident living down Ven. Ganananda Mawatha in Megoda-Kolonnawa, the police had warned them to evacuate on November 27 (Friday) when water levels started rising. “They came around 4.00pm. Then we experienced a power cut and then we realised that we had to leave and left. Even though people know that it is a low-lying settlement they come to settle here because they need a place to stay. All my furniture in the first floor has been destroyed. It’s good if the President provides us with what he has promised. But still, the grama niladhari hasn’t visited this area to inquire about our needs. They should at least clean the roads for us,” he said. 

Hajiyar Mohideen, a resident of the area and a local politician representing Sri Lanka Muslim Congress has been assisting people affected in the area in his own capacity. He has been providing people with cleaning equipment, rice cookers, water bottles and other equipment. He has been rescuing people by boat and serving people in his area. “It’s like living inside a tank. Nobody would want to evacuate. People should be given what has been promised,” he told the Daily Mirror. 

In fact the aftermath of the floods raises concerns as well as fear regarding the government’s approach to effective waste management. 

Furniture on either side of the road in Megoda-Kolonnawa

Dilhani Lakshmi in front of her empty shop

Cassim Iyoob showing his mud-soaked bike