COLOMBO, May 29 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Disaster Management Center (DMC) has said it is readying for any disaster possibilities ahead of the southwest monsoon and has assured to include COVID-19 mitigation and social distancing response measures in its relief efforts, local media reported here Friday.
DMC Director General, Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe said that DMC had decided to take extra precautions due to the risk of COVID-19 and measures would be taken to maintain social distancing at relief centers.
"The DMC, Meteorology Department, National Building Research Organisation and Irrigation Department will work closely to prepare for any disaster situation that could arise due to the Southwest Monsoon and house those who might be affected due to adverse weather at safe locations," Ranasinghe said.
According to the Major General, the DMC has identified eight districts that could be affected by adverse weather which includes capital Colombo, several districts in the southern coast, the northwest, and the central highlands.
A quarantine center will also be established in all districts that were identified as prone to floods or landslides and this decision was taken to prevent any outbreak of the virus during a natural disaster. Enditem
