How To Be Prepared for The Next Monsoon Season

2017 Jun 13

Over the past couple of weeks, we witnessed the worst flood Sri Lanka has experienced in the last 14 years. Landslides and flash floods disrupted the lives of over half a million, claimed the lives of approximately 200 people, and have caused almost a 100 to go missing. These numbers were quite staggering and overwhelmed all of us. We watched the news and saw villages and towns underwater and the debris covered by the muddy land. We saw countless suffering and mourning over their lost homes and loved ones taken away too soon. However, this happens every year. It is not something new and we have gone through these painful experiences before. So why is no one doing anything to be adequately prepared for the harsh weather?

Let us learn, at least this time, and be prepared for the future.

• Prepare an emergency kit

It is recommended that the following items be included in a basic supply kit;

• Water for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and extra batteries
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit (plasters, gauze dressings, Panadol, bandages, safety pins, scissors.etc.)
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Towels, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Manual can opener for food
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Make sure to pack warm clothing, essential medication, valuables and personal papers in waterproof bags along with your emergency kit!

• Have an alternate place to go to

This does not necessarily mean that you have to buy or rent out a separate home, but if you are living in a flood prone area, you can talk it out with a member of the family or a friend and arrange to stay with them just until the harsh weather passes. In the meantime, try to move your furniture, rugs, electrical items and valuables to higher ground in your home so that they won’t suffer significant damages. If you are unable to do so, at least ensure that your valuables including jewelry, personal documents.etc are all protected well beforehand. Do not wait until the last minute to pack up everything and run.

• Check your insurance policy to see if you are covered for flood damage

Attempting to navigate the aftermath of a flood is a challenging task. If your property is damaged, immediately take pictures of the destruction and contact your insurance company. If you’re looking for aid with insurance of your vehicle or home, the following insurance companies have policies which cover flood damage to property. You can contact them to insure your valuables and for immediate assistance in the aftermath of a flood.

Allianz Insurance – 011 231 0310

Amana Takaful – 011 230 0400

Ceylinco Insurance – 011 239 3939

Janashakthi Insurance – 011 230 3300

• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers

If you are in need of any assistance, you can call the following numbers;

• National Child Protection Authority : 011 2 778 911 – 4 
• ChildLine hotline : 1929
• To inform the Road Development Authority of any roads in need of repair: 1968 / 1969
• In case of power failure or malfunction:

1. Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) : 1987
2. Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited: 1910
3. Ministry of Power and Energy: 1901

• Ministry of Home Affairs 24-hour emergency hotline: 1902
• Emergency contact numbers Disaster Management Center

1. 1. Disaster emergency hotline: 117
   2. Gen: 011 2136136
   3. EOC: 011 2136222/ 011 2670002
   4. Fax:  011 2670079

• Contact numbers of the District Secretariats and District Secretaries

1. 1. Ratnapura District – 0452222235 / 0714423760
   2. Kalutara District – 034 2222235 / 0716814813
   3. Galle District – 0912234235 / 0714415377
   4. Matara District – 0412222235 / 0776864397
   5. Hambantota District – 0472256235 / 0714441612
   6. Colombo District – 0112369134 / 0773184910
   7. Gampaha District – 0332222235 / 0773273507
   8. Kegalle District – 0352222235 / 0773633293

• To request boats for relief efforts: 0716453402, 0774652278, 0773410575
• Police Emergency Hotline: 118/ 119
• Ambulance/ Fire & Rescue: 110
• Sri Lanka Air Force Emergency Service: 116
• Red Cross: 011-2672727

• Make sure you’re familiar with electrical safety after floods

Make sure you get assistance from a licensed electrician and don’t hesitate to get contact the Ceylon Electricity Board if you are in need of any help. You need to be careful when entering your flooded home as it is possible to get electrocuted in the water, even though you may have lost power. You should also keep in mind that flooded electrical equipment will most probably be ruined and will need replacement. This may include circuit panels and circuit breaker, fuse boxes and fuses, switches, motors, fans, lights, refrigerators.etc. It mainly depends on the type of equipment, depth of the flood waters and duration of submersion. So try and get your electrical items to a higher level in your homes and disconnect your electrical appliances beforehand.

Click here for some life saving tips during floods.