OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Sri Lanka, India - Tropical Cyclone
29 December 2000



Situation and Damage

1.  On Monday, 25 and Tuesday, 26 December 2000 a cyclone crossed the
northern part of Sri Lanka. According to media reports five persons were
killed by the disaster and an overall number of 75,000 families have been
affected. This tropical cyclone impacted several districts, destroying
houses, paddylands and livestock, infrastructure, such as telephone and
electricity lines, as well as fishing boats.

2.  On 27 December 2000 the Tropical Cyclone reached the southern tip of
India where the cyclone reportedly damaged houses, fishing boats and paddy
and banana crops. It also uprooted trees and electric poles. No casualties
have been reported in India so far. Today, 29 December, the India
Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a bulletin stating that the
cyclonic storm has considerably weakened into a deep depression and lies
over south Kerala close to Alleppy. It is likely to move further in a
west-northwesterly direction and emerge into the Arabian Sea.


National and International Response

3.  The Sri Lanka Government provided Rs 25 million (approx. USD 309,750)
in cash (media report) as well as relief supplies to the affected
population. Displaced persons are located in shelters at Nalanda Vidyalaya
in China Bay and at Jamalia Muslim Vidyalaya.

4.  NGOs and the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society began relief work as the
cyclone receded. On 28 December, the International Federation of the Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies issued a preliminary Appeal which seeks
CHF 528,308 (USD300,000) in cash, kind and services to assist 10,000
beneficiaries.

5.  In India, the Governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry
sounded alert to relevant authorities and took precautionary measures,
such as setting up of storm shelters. Evacuation of people from low-lying
areas to safer places is still going on. Local authorities are currently
conducting damage assessment.

6.  The United Nations Disaster Management Team (UN-DMT) in New Delhi had
meetings on 27 and 29 December to collate and disseminate information on
cyclone warning. The UN-DMT is in close contact with Governmental entities
(Ministry of Agriculture and the Cyclone Warning Centre of the India
Meteorological Department) to monitor the situation.

7.  Neither the Government of India nor the Government of Sri Lanka has
requested OCHA to launch an Appeal for international assistance.

8.  OCHA is in close contact with the Office of the United Nations
Resident Coordinator in New Delhi and the Office of the United Nations
Resident Coordinator in Colombo to monitor further developments.

9.  This situation report, together with further information on ongoing
emergencies, is also available on the OCHA Internet Website at
http://www.reliefweb.int


Telephone: +41-22-917 12 34
Fax: +41-22-917 00 23

In case of emergency only: Tel. +41-22-917 20 10

Desk Officers:  Ms. S. Metzner-Strack / Mr. R. Mueller / Mr. S. Matsuka
Direct Tel. +41-22-917 21 44 / 31 31 / 40 34

Press contact:
  (in GVA) Mr. Donato Kiniger-Passigli, direct Tel. +41-22-917 26 53
  (in NY) Ms. Phyllis Lee, direct Tel. +1-212-963 48 32


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: 01/04/01 EST