The Island Under Water

As the bad weather persisted, the tri forces were deployed again today (May 18) to disaster affected areas, to provide relief and assistance.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) conducted reconnaissance missions to support ongoing relief operations by flying over disaster affected areas, to assess damage and also seek out places and people who most needed assistance.

Following are several aerial images of flooding and landslide affected areas in Aranayake, Bulathkohupitiya, and Kelaniya.

Notwithstanding the adverse flying conditions, a Bell 412 helicopter was deployed from the SLAF base in Ratmalana to carry out a recce mission in Aranayake, Kegalle District, around 11:00 a.m. today. Pictured here is an aerial view of the landslide affected area, which till now has reported at least 18 deaths. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

Aerial view of flooding in Kelaniya. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

Roads in Kelaniya submerged due to flooding. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

The Disaster Management Centre requested those living around the Kelani River to evacuate, as the water levels were steadily rising. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

Aerial view of landslide in Bulathkohupitiya, Kegalle district. Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi, and Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Gagan Bulathsinghala, were among Government officials on board the aircraft to carry out assessments of the situation. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

Rescue teams from the Air Force and Navy were also deployed to Thabbowa, Puttalam yesterday (May 17) to assist civilians who were trapped on a block of land due to floods. According to SLAF Group Captain Chandima Alwis, an Mi-17 helicopter was deployed for this purpose. Nearly 200 people belonging to 68 families were trapped when the rescue team arrived.

Aerial view of the dam at the Thabbowa Reservoir. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

A house under water in Thabbowa, Puttalam. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

A rescue boat deployed to help families stranded due to floods. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

Families stranded due to flooding in Thabbowa, Puttalam. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

An Air Force officer assists in the rescue of a man and a child. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

Air Force rescue operation underway in Thabbowa. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

[UPDATE: May 19, 2016]

SLAF teams also flew food and supplies over to flood affected families in the Dompe and Biyagama areas on Wednesday (May 18). Below are images from these disaster-struck places.

Food parcels being distributed in Dompe. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

Air Force officers and residents assess the floods in the Dompe area. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

In Dompe: wading through the water to avail of assistance. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

SLAF assesses floods while flying over Biyagama. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

Flooding in Biyagama. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

An aerial view of houses affected by flooding. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

SLAF officers carry supplies to flood affected in Biyagama. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

The SLAF carried supplies to the flood affected in Biyagama again today (May 19). Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.

Biyagama, still under water. Image courtesy Sri Lanka Air Force.