Eastern paddy fields flooded

[TamilNet, Friday, 04 February 2000, 17:29 GMT]
Heavy rains lashing the eastern Batticaloa District for the past few days have affected 16,214 families, according to the Government Agent in Batticaloa, S.Pathmanathan.

4979 families are affected in Chenkalady Division, 5825 families in Otamaavadai, 3227 families in Vellaveli and 2183 families in Valaichenai, officials said.

Ambilanthurai, Kokkadicholai and Mandoor areas are also affected by rains. However, details of damages were not immediately known, the GA said.

The GA has instructed the Divisional Secretaries to provide necessary help to affected families and has requested the Commissioner of Essential Services for more assistance.

Around 25,000 hectors of paddy fields in the region, which were about to be harvested, are submerged in floods, reports said.

Meanwhile, heavy rains are also reported in the Vanni region, according to reports from the region. Several displaced families living in temporary shelters and public buildings are undergoing hardship, the reports said.