Colombo: Flash floods due to heavy rains have left over 54,000 people marooned in different parts of Sri Lanka, officials said here today.

The situation in Mannar in northern Lanka is reported to be grim with over 11,000 people severely affected due to the week long rains in the region.

Educational institutions in many areas in Northern and Eastern Lanka have been closed due to the flood. "Due to torrential rain resulting from the North-East monsoon, some districts of the eastern, northern Sabaragamuwa Western and Uva parts of Sri Lanka have been experiencing flood situation since March 12," an official statement said.

Television footages showed Lankan security forces confronting problems in movement of tanks and supply of arms in the embattled North due to slushy pathways.

The most affected districts are Badulla, Mannar, Trincomalee, Ampara, Monaragala, Ratnapura, Gampaha and Puttalam in North, South and Western parts of the country. A sum of Rs three million (Sri Lankan rupees) has been released to the badly affected districts for emergency needs of the victims. Arrangements will be made to release further funds on requests by district secretaries of the affected areas, officials said.

Source : PTI