Acknowledging the unique and persistent challenges, Haldwani Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rekha Kohli recently visited the village, accompanied by various departmental officials. Acting on her directives, the food supply inspector distributed rations sufficient to last until August, while the health department provided a comprehensive three-month supply of life-saving medicines. “We have ensured residents of ‘Sri Lanka Island’ receive crucial supplies to sustain them through the monsoon, including rations until August and a three-month supply of life-saving medicines to address their immediate needs,” stated SDM Kohli.Further bolstering emergency preparedness, a vital helipad has been constructed in Sri Lanka Tapu. Officials confirm this facility will serve as a critical lifeline, facilitating timely evacuation and treatment in medical emergencies and ensuring residents’ safety during their isolation.Known to its residents as Kalapani, the village earned its ‘Sri Lanka’ moniker from journalists who, during the devastating 1984 floods, likened its distinctive geographical appearance to the island nation when flying overhead.Spanning 45 hectares, the village is uniquely surrounded by water on three sides and dense forest on the fourth, solidifying its status as a virtual island during the monsoon season and explaining its persistent isolation despite broader development efforts.
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