Floods may trap Mullaitivu civilians

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 12 November 1997, 23:59 GMT]
Reports from the Vanni said today that the only route that is open to civilians between Mullaithivu and the western parts of the Vanni might be completely cut if the heavy rains which ravaged the region for almost a week were to continue unabated.

Residents in the Vanni said that the downpour had eased a bit yesterday but the clouds are yet to fully clear.

After the Sri Lankan army cut of all the motorable roads from Mullaithivu east to the other parts of the Vanni, civilians in the region have used the road that passes under the spill of the Iranamadu Tank which links Kilinochchi south to Paranthan - Mullaithivu road at Vaddakachchi and Puliyampokkanai.

The heavy monsoon rains this year have raised the water level in this tank to a level unprecedented since 1994.

The bund of the Iranaimadukkulam is in such disrepair due to government restrictions on irrigation works in the Vanni, that the tank's normal spill level of 34 feet cannot be maintained now.

Hence if the rains continue, the spill has to be opened as the bunds are weak. This will completely inundate the only road to Mullaithivu said officials.

Meanwhile the monsoon has filled up four tanks in the Ottisuddan area and another tank called Vedukkunaari Kulam has breached its bunds.