Rains pound North-East as cyclone Neelam approaches
30 October 2012

12:43 GMT Mullativu. Photographs Sri Lanka Red Cross Society A depression in the bay of Bengal, has intensified into a mini cyclone - named cyclone Neelam - which is said to be approaching the North-East and India. The Meteorological Department in Sri Lanka, said last night that it was approximately 100km from Trincomalee. This morning, the Met Depart has stated the cyclone has changed course and is likely to pass over Kankesanthurai this afternoon. All images are courtesy of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. Mullaitivu district The news comes as heavy rains and gusts of upto 80kmph continue to batter Mullativu district and across the North-East. Despite the change of direction of the cyclone, the pounding of the North-East is set to continue. Flooding in Jaffna The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society reported that Tamils who had only be recently resettled due to the armed conflict are "mostly effected", particularly in Puthukkudiyiruppu, along with Manthai East, Maritimepattu, Oddusuddan and Thunukkai. Satellite imagery of cyclone Neelam. 0600 UTC, 30 Oct 2012