Indiscriminate fire by the Sri Lanka Army from all corners of a shrinking territory already overcrowded with civilians has worsened the humanitarian disaster unfolding in the Vanni.
Deaths and injuries to civilians fleeing the Sri Lankan military onslaught are daily occurrences, while hospitals to treat the injured are also coming under attack.
The civilians are trapped in territory centering on Puthukkudiyiruppu town, its suburbs and adjoining jungles in the Mullaiththeevu district. This is the same area that the Sri Lankan military is targeting with its shelling, air strikes and multi-barrel rockets.
There are deaths and injuries caused to the civilians fleeing the onslaught of the SLA.
Medical authorities have said the situation was beyond control and that hospitals have come under attack.
Ambulances are also not operating as access route from Vadamaraadchi East have been cut off by the SLA, while the Mullaiththeevu Puthukkudiyiruppu land route has also been blocked by the indiscriminate mortar attacks.
The entire area with civilians has come under artillery range. Gunfire was heard in all the directions.
Unless the shelling is stopped, every shell being fired into the overcrowded area would cause civilian casualties, local reports said.
The access route for civilians to cross over into Vanni mainland from Vadamaraadchi East has been blocked by the SLA, according to initial reports.
Medical personnel at the hospital in Visuvamadu said the situation was pathetic as SLA-fired shells were exploding in the close vicinity.
The hospital at Tharmapuram has been displaced and the streets were full of vehicles with displaced civilians trying to move further away from the attacks.
The adjoining areas of makeshift hospitals in Visuvamadu and Puthukkudiyiruppu hospital have also come under artillery fire by the SLA, which is driving civilians away from Tharmapuram and Vaddakkachchi by intensifying bombardment.
Meanwhile, hospital authorities in an urgent appeal issued Tuesday afternoon have urged the ICRC to at least take efforts to safeguard the hospital premises from the Sri Lankan shelling.
28 civilians have been killed from within the 13 days from 01 January and 185 wounded. Blood was not available at Puthukkudiyiruppu and makeshift hospitals, TamilNet reported.
As hospitals were displacing to relatively safer areas, there are more wounded from all corners being rushed to the makeshift hospitals functioning in schools and under trees.
There are reports of civilian deaths and casualties in Visuvamadu town being vacated by the civilians. Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) attacks targeted Athisaya Vinayakar temple area in Visuvamadu, causing panic among the fleeing civilians.
Detailed reporting and verification of casualties have become difficult under the prevailing circumstances.
If Tamil Nadu fails to exert pressure on New Delhi to stop the Sri Lankan offensive in Vanni, there will be no hope left for civilians who fear being subjugated by the Sri Lankan military, say displaced peoples representatives in Vanni.
There have been no reports of fighting in densely populated areas. However, the SLA has been continuing artillery attacks and gunfire.
There have also been reports of civilians moving towards Vadamaraadchi East, recently occupied by the Sri Lanka Army.
