Floods submerge forward defence lines

[TamilNet, Thursday, 22 April 1999, 12:11 GMT]
Hundreds of Sri Lankan Army forward defence lines in the Vanni have been flooded after heavy rain fell in the area over the past few days said sources.

Government forces in defence lines at Olumadu, Nedunkerni and Kanagarayankulam have been forced to climb up trees to prevent infiltration and sudden attacks by the LTTE, said sources.

Meanwhile, most of the roads constructed to supply the lines have been washed away and soldiers are having to carry food supplies on their shoulders.

Farmers in Vavuniya said that hundreds acres of paddy fields have been flooded submerging paddy that is ready for harvest.

Government officials said that the damage caused by the flood has not yet been estimated.

In Eratperiyakulam, 6 km. south of Vavuniya, a military police personnel was seriously injured at around 1.30 p.m. yesterday when lightening and thunder struck.

He has been admitted to the Vavuniya hospital.