143 km of Sri Lanka’s Coastline Polluted Following Cyclone Ditwah – MEPA Launches Major Cleanup
A total of 143.03 kilometers of Sri Lanka’s coastline have been heavily polluted as a result of the severe flooding triggered by Cyclone Ditwah, the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) announced.
MEPA Chairman Samantha Gunasekara said the intense rainfall and widespread flooding have caused significant contamination across both the coastal belt and surrounding sea areas. According to initial assessments, an estimated 5,280 man-hours will be required to fully restore the affected zones.
The most severely impacted coastal stretches include Colombo, Negombo, Chilaw, Puttalam, Kalpitiya, and parts of the Eastern Province.
Gunasekara explained that floodwaters and landslides across the country had swept household belongings, debris, and waste through river basins, ultimately depositing them along the coastline. In addition, prevailing monsoon winds have pushed waste drifting from the Indian coast onto Sri Lankan shores.
To address the accumulated debris, MEPA is assembling a hired workforce, with the cleanup expected to take a minimum of three weeks. Once collected, the waste will be sorted and recycled with the support of local government bodies.
MEPA’s network of 13 regional offices will also assist in the cleanup operations.
Meanwhile, the Authority is preparing an observation report on potential waste deposits on the seabed, following concerns that underwater areas may also have been affected by the cyclone-induced flooding.
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