12th November 2021 15:32:34 Hours
Troops of the 6 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) of the 583 Brigade under the 58 Division this morning (11) once again commenced placing sandbags to avert any further damage to the left banks of the Deduruoya, near the 30th milepost which were damaged due to torrential rains early on Wednesday (10).
More than 37 troops including officers, two vehicles and a backhoe machine are currently engaged in the emergency repair work at the time this report was pasted.
Meanwhile, troops of the 1 Sri Lanka National Guard of the 143 Brigade under the 14 Division during 9 - 10 November took immediate measures to provide disaster relief to the flood victims, belonging to 50 families in the general areas of Godawela and Goadwelewatta in Polgahawela who remained badly affected due to worsening weather conditions.
Those troops at first rescued stranded victims and moved them out to safer places on Army boats and vehicles before they were provided with cooked meals and other essential facilities.
In the meantime, troops of the 58 Division of the 1 Corps in Sinnawillawatta, Puttalam laid sand bags to prevent the road erosion along Puttalam - Chillaw main road, close to the Palawiya, Ratmalyaya area on Tuesday (9). A group of 15 Army personnel attended to the emergency along the main road.
Troops of 613 Brigade under command to the 61 Division of the Security Force Headquarters - West in the meantime, contributed to the immediate renovation of the road patches that have been washed away along the Mapalana Ratalankawatta crematorium road near the 613 Brigade Headquarter premises.
In response to a request of the Kamburupitiya Pradeshiya Sabha, 613 Brigade Commander, Brigadier Upul Kodithuwakku directed the troops to commence the repair work along with workers, provided by the Pradeshiya Sabhawa on Wednesday (10). Troops after placing culverts across the damaged road patches allowed gushing waters to drain and mitigate further erosion of the road.
Meanwhile, under the guidance given by Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, Commander Security Forces-Jaffna, General Officers Commanding of 51, 52 and 55 Divisions, Brigade Commanders and Battalion Commanders are tirelessly continuing relief roles against flood-affected civilians in order to bring normalcy to their areas and lives by way of clearing clogged waterways, culverts, anicuts and other low-lying areas with support of Army machinery and required manpowerin the past five days (10-14 November)
They enabled floodwater to flow fast and undertook construction of damaged bridges and culverts along affected roads while assisting the Police to control traffic congestions in the flood-affected areas. In addition, troops have been taking steps to provide cooked meals, drinking water and other essentials for people in those affected areas while ensuring the safety and security of the people and their properties.
Meanwhile, troops of 19 Gemunu Watch under command to 593 Brigade of the 59 Division of the Security Force HQ - Mullaittivu, together with Mahaweli Authority workers launched a joint effort to prevent prevented sand erosion along the Kokilai beach patch due to seasonal monsoon rains and floods on Thursday (11).
The GOC 59 Division and the Commander 593 Brigade gave necessary instructions to the Commanding Officer 19 GW to conduct the task.
In the meantime, 14 Division troops of the Security Forces-West using sandbags prevented any imminent breach of the bunds at Periyakulam tank and Akarawita bridge, threatened with overflowing due to torrential rains.
Commander, Security Forces - West and the General Officer Commanding 14 Division gave necessary instructions to troops for these emergencies.
Meanwhile, troops of the 16 Gajaba Regiment (16 GR) of the 143 Brigade under the 14 Division placed sandbags to avert any further damage to the bund of the Galrena tank, near Helasumana area in Madurankuluya due to torrential rains early on Sunday (14) .
