IDP settlements flooded in Jaffna peninsula due to continuing downpour

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 25 November 2008, 13:00 GMT]
Unrelenting monsoon rains continue in Jaffna peninsula for the fourth day causing floods in areas where Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are located while fisher families in Vadamaraadchi North and East have been forced to seek shelter in churches and public buildings nearby because of the persisting rain and intermittent hurricanes which had torn off the roofs of many huts, sources in Jaffna said.

Meanwhile, Jaffna Teaching Hospital and many parts in Jaffna town are flooded as the drains and canals have been blocked by the barbed fire fences and bunds constructed by Sri Lanka Army (SLA) as security precautions.

Two of the patients' wards in Jaffna Teaching Hospital had to be vacated as they were flooded due to water coming in from the SLA 212nd division located right behind these wards due to drainages and canals blocked by SLA security constructions.

Hospital authorities have requested the SLA to immediately remove the obstacles blocking the drains.

Action is being taken to remove the barbed wire fences and other constructions of the SLA immediately to enable the flooded water to drain off, Jaffna Municipal Council sources said.

Floods have entered into areas where the IDP settlements and Rehabilitation centres are located in Thellippazhai area as they are constructed in low lying terrain where water stagnates.

Divisional Secretaries in the peninsula have been instructed to provide relief and assistance for the IDPs and the people placed in the Rehabilitation centres, Jaffna Secretariat officials said.

The roof of a school in Valikaamam was blown off but no one was hurt.

Life in the peninsula has come almost to a stand still as most of the students remain home without attending schools, the streets deserted and shops closed.

Transport services remain suspended and there is only a limited movement of SLA vehicles seen on the roads in the peninsula.