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Sri Lanka disaster authorities failed to issue early warnings for storm that killed 202 people

Source(s): The New Humanitarian
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By Amantha Perera

As floodwaters recede in Sri Lanka after monsoon rains killed at least 202 people and forced more than 80,00 from their homes, questions are being asked over the government’s failure to put in place preparedness measures that could have saved lives.

The death toll could still rise after the storm lashed the country at the weekend, causing the worst flooding in 15 years. The United Nations says 96 people remain unaccounted for, and more rains are forecast for this week that could trigger additional landslides.

“We seem to reinvent the wheel with every disaster,” said Mahieash Johnney, a spokesman for the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society.

As the monsoon storm approached the west coast of this teardrop-shaped island nation off the southern tip of India, the Red Cross put 10 of its district branches on high alert, ensuring that staff and volunteers would be prepared to assist once the wind and rains hit.

Government agencies, however, took no preemptive measures.

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Hazards Flood Landslide
Themes Early warning
Country and region Sri Lanka
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