According to government officials in the districts of Jaffna, Mullaithivu and Kilinochchi heavy rains affecting these districts have destroyed most of the vegetable cultivation and prices of vegetables have hit record highs during the past week.
On Friday a kg of brinjal was sold at Rs.700, Ginger at Rs1000 per kg., while a kg of green chillies was sold at Rs. 800 at the main vegetable market in Thinnaveli in Jaffna. (See graphic for prices of other vegetables).
Most vegetables are normally sold at between Rs100 and Rs200 a kg.
Area residents said all varieties of vegetables are in short supply as the crops had been destroyed by the continuous rain which had resulted in flooding.
The heavy rains have also displaced several hundred people, forcing them to take shelter in government buildings.
On Friday 40 lorries stocked with food and other items were despatched from Vavuniya to the GAs in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi. Around 150,000 cadjans are to be despatched within the next few days to put up temporary shelters.
While the rains in Jaffna have ceased, the situation in the other two districts continue to worsen as the weather conditions deteriorate.
According to reports reaching The Sunday Times 1,700 people in Mullaitivu displaced by flooding have taken refuge in government buildings.
Three major tanks at Vishwamadhu, Udayarkattu and Muttayankattu have also reached spill level and the sluice gates have been opened to release the excess water. | 
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