Troops in the 12 Sri Lanka National Guard of the 232 Infantry Brigade under the 23 Infantry Division rose to the occasion and promptly facilitated the safe movement of more than 150 civilians, stranded in flooded areas in Kiran, Pulipanchikal, Toppigala, Kudimbimale and Periyawadduwan in the past two days (14-15 December)

Due to continuing rains in the Eastern province, the water level in Valachchenai Aru in Batticaloa rose rapidly in the past few days, compelling the authorities to open. the sluice gates in the Rugam reservoir, the main reservoir in the Batticaloa district. Due to its impact, a large number of civilians and many villages in the Divisional Secretariat area in the Koralepattu South region were threatened with floods as their areas got inundated causing difficulties.

In view of those difficulties, the General Officer Commanding of the 23 Infantry Division, Brigade Commander of the 232 Infantry Brigade closely monitored developments and launched some emergency relief operations in affected areas, beginning last Wednesday (13).