
Heavy rain in Vanni adds to IDP woes
Continuous heavy rain over a week has caused heavy floods in Vanni, worsening the already miserable condition of the more 250,000 IDPs. Most affected are Tharmapuram, the southern most area of Kilinochchi, and Visuvamadu in the northern part of Mullaithivu district. Permanent residents too have been affected by floods forcing them also to displace. Two of the lakes in these areas are threatening to breach their bunds and more people have displaced as a result of this.

Mullaithivu Consortium of Non Government Organizations estimates 250,000 IDPs and a further 80,000 non IDPs were seriously affected by the flooding forcing them to displace from their temporary shelters and homes respectively. Several schools both displaced schools as well as schools functioning in their own building were flooded causing the schools to close. Three flood related deaths have been reported so far. Many of those trapped in the floods were evacuated by TRO using boats. The war IDPs were already in a miserable situation due to shortages of material needed for putting up temporary shelters for them; shortages imposed by the Sri Lankan government. Hospital sources reported large number of IDP problems such as snake bites and incidences of malaria. The IDP situation in Vanni is so serious at present and it demands immediate humanitarian help of all quarters.
26 November 2008
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