News
Possessions and livelihoods lost in Wellampitiya devastation
View(s):By Sajeniya Sathanandan
Flood victims in Colombo and suburbs are grappling with a multitude of issues as they return to their homes, with some of them not only losing their belongings but also their livelihoods.
The lack of an effective distribution mechanism to distribute relief was visible when the Sunday Times visited some of the areas hit by the flooding.
In some areas in the interior there was no food or drinking water, while some of those living closer to the main road seemed to be having a better supply of relief goods.
With floodwaters receding, affected residents began salvaging mud-soaked belongings
and cleaning their homes. Pix by Indika handuwala
On Thursday, the water levels dropped, and some of them sheltered in welfare centres went to their homes.
For those who apply, Rs 25,000 is being provided by the state for cleaning up their homes.
“We do not know how to survive or rebuild our lives from scratch,” a cross-section of affected people in Wellampitiya, Hansagama, and Angoda told the Sunday Times.
Affected people said although the floodwaters began to rise on the evening of November 27, most of the people left their houses for safety on November 28 or 29. Some families were transferred by boat to a school, while others were moved to places they knew. Some stayed on the second floor of their homes with four or five other families—without access to electricity, communications or drinking water.
Flood victim G. Ariyadasa, 79, said they had to survive with wet clothes, crying children, fear of life, hunger, thirst, no sleep, and no assurance for a future.
Gnanawathi Perera, 68, said that when she heard her neighbours screaming, her focus was only to run away with her family to a safer space. She did not know what to take from home. She has seen the water levels rise and the toppling wall in the house.
Her daughter-in-law was more concerned about her little children, as they had lost their books, shoes and everything they had saved. Nothing can be saved or reused.
Ms Perera said there is no water to drink, and there is no medicine, food or proper shelter.
Their main source of income is only when her married son with two small children works for a daily wage.
Though government medical professionals have requested to visit the camps, there were no medical camps in these areas, the victims said.
Some had evacuated without important documents.
Those who were returning home found that they had no proper way of cooking their own meals and finding their medication after spending a few days in the welfare centres.
Mr and Mrs M K M Thaslim Deen said they rent a house, and their shop selling slippers is also badly affected.
The fear of protecting daughters who are in their 20s and rebuilding their lives are challenges for them, they said.
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