Rescue operations halted last evening due to the prevailing bad weather condition in Meeriyabedda was re-commenced this morning with the aid of heavy military machinery, army, police and residents of the area.
The landslide triggered by the heavy rain fall left some 818 persons displaced and they are currently sheltered at two schools in Haldummulla, Coordinating Officer for Badulla District Disaster Management Centre, M.L. Udayakumra, told Ada Derana.
“Some 518 persons from 146 families are in the Koslanda Tamil College, while some 300 persons from 97 families are sheltered at the Poonagala Tamil College,” Udayakumra added.
According to the DMC, at least 120 line houses have been completely swept away by the landslide and 150 persons believed to be trapped under the rubble. “At least 150 men, women and children – believed to be trapped.” Udayakumra said.
Police spokesperson SSP Ajith Rohana said that so far sixteen bodies have been recovered by the rescue teams.
Though, the rescue missions are underway in a bid to find any survivors under the mountain of mud, according to the officials the probability of finding anyone alive is not easy given the scale of the disaster.
Currently Sri Lanka Red Cross Rescue & Relief Teams have also provided non food relief items to over 980 persons housed in the two camps .
Meanwhile on a request made by the Disaster Management Ministry, SLRCS has installed nine mobile latrines in the two camps where the survivors are housed at.
