Record high rainfall in Batticaloa district

[TamilNet, Monday, 17 March 2008, 03:44 GMT]
Torrential rains and floods in Batticaloa district have caused more than 4000 persons of 1130 Internally Displaced People (IDP) familes staying in temporary camps in Batticaloa district to seek shelter in schools and public buildings elsewhere, Batticaloa Government Agent (GA), Suntharam Arumainayagam said. 99.03 mm rainfall within the last 24 hours was recorded Sunday 4:00 p.m, while the 314 mm rainfall in March this year is the highest for 138 years in Batticaloa district.

Many areas including Batticaloa town, Kaaththaankudi and Ka’luvaangchchikkudi have been inundated with flood water.

IDPs staying in Chinna Oo’ra’ni, Manchanththoduvaai, Saahiraa and Naavatkudaa areas in Ma’nmunai North Regional Secretary division were moved to other areas from their flooded temporary shelters, Regional Secretary, Ms. Pathmarajah said.

154 families from Manchchanththoduvaai, 136 from Saahiraa School, 81 from Chinna Oo’ra’ni, 250 from Naavatkea’ni and 90 Muslim families from Manchchanththoduvaai have been moved to schools and Rural Development buildings.

Non-governmental organizations provided cooked meals to the flood affected families through Kiraama Seavaiyaalars (Village Officers), the Secretary said.

A rain fall of 862 mm has been recorded in the first three months of 2008.

The annual rainfall of Batticaloa district is 1651 mm.