Torrential rain adds to Batticaloa IDPs woes

[TamilNet, Monday, 09 April 2007, 18:04 GMT]
Nearly 150,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) staying in 93 temporary camps in different Divisional Secretary areas in Batticaloa are undergoing immense difficulties due incessent rain and flooding in the east, sources in Batticaloa said. A 66.6 mm rainfall was recorded for the last 24 hours on Monday 8:00 p.m by Batticaloa Weather Observation Centre, sources added.

A total of 153.4 mm rainfall has been recorded since Friday.

Unable to find proper outlets, rain water stagnates in many areas and New Kaluvanchykudy, Kaluvanchikudy and Paduvankarai areas face the danger of floods, Divisional Secretaries inform.

Most of the 150,000 IDPs from Trincomalee, Vaharai and Paduvankarai sheltered in 93 temporary shelters and lodged in tents built on bare ground are unable to remain inside the tents as rain water runs through the tents.

IDPs staying in tents in Chenkalady, Eravur, Kaluvankerny, Kalavanchikudy and Arayampathy areas too continue to experiences immense hardships.

The refugees in the tents are unable to provide care and warmth for their children who are hit by low temperatures, IDPs complained.

The Tamil-Sinhala New Year drawing close, people are unable to buy necessary provisions, and traders and vendors too face economic loss, according to civil society sources.

Fishermen could not go fishing due to the continuing downpour resulting in shortage of fish in the markets.

Small roads, being flooded, no longer can be used cause transport difficulties in Batticaloa district.

Severe security measures adopted by Sri Lanka Special Task Force (STF), are causing additional difficulties and hindrances to the public, civil sources said.

The roads in front of Police stations in Batticaloa, Kathankudy, Kalavanchikudy, Eravur and Valaichenai are blocked for traffic, and traffic is being diverted through alternate byroads creating congestion.