Post-Tsunami Facilities Submerged in Sri Lanka 

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SOS Children's Village in Anuradhapura under water. From SOS Archives
February 8, 2011: A week of rain caused flooding across much of Sri Lanka for the second time in less than a month. An SOS Children's Village in the North Central province and the SOS Kindergarten on Sri Lanka's eastern shore flooded Monday.
 
SOS Children's Village in Anuradhapura Flooded
 
Triggered by heavy rains, flood water entered the SOS Children's Village in Anuradhapura. The children, SOS Mothers and staff are dealing with overflowed sanitation facilities as rainfall continues in the area. Divakar Ratnadurai, Deputy National Director of SOS Children's Villages Sri Lanka, said that if the situation worsens, the SOS families will temporarily relocate to dry, safe quarters.

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In front of the SOS Kindergarten in Batticaloa. From SOS Archives
The government has already issued warnings for the residents of Anuradhapura, which is situated in the North Central Province, about 125 miles north of the capital of Colombo. The Sri Lanka Air Force was called in to rescue people trapped by the floods. Officials have asked the public to refrain from visiting the UNESCO heritage city of Anuradhapura as roads are damaged and inaccessible.

SOS Kindergarten Near Batticaloa Affected by Floods Once Again
 
The second wave of flooding since last month has ruined many buildings and lives in the Eastern and Northern provinces. The SOS Kindergarten in Morakkottanchenai near Batticaloa was flooded again and documents, food, and furniture were destroyed. The family houses built for the victims of the major 2004 tsunami took the brunt of heavy rains.

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SOS Mother and child in SOS Sri Lanka. From SOS Archives
The latest flooding has affected the same areas devastated by the flooding last month, displacing more than one million people in total. Schools in the eastern provinces have been closed by the government.
 
SOS would love to ensure the safety of all members of the SOS family before disasters like the floods in Sri lanka happen. Help us help them by making a donation or becoming a Global Village Builder. Would you like to learn more? Sign up to receive SOS Children's Villages eNewsletters to stay informed about issues that affect children around the world.