A week ago we were hit by something unexpected. Now we are being stroked by something expected. The torrential rains normally don't bring a lot of trouble. But this time, given the circumstances, it's giving more trouble than ever.

The weather conditions have dramatically changed mainly in the affected areas disrupting efforts to help millions of people who are in need of assistance. Most aid workers are finding it hard to reach some parts of the island as heavy rains are rising water levels and blocking travel paths. It's said that bridges and roads have been damaged by flash floods, and the south-eastern town of Akkarapathu is under 3 feet of water and many people have been displaced from shelters.

We are already facing transportation problems due to the lack of heavy trucks. Now it has got worse as the rain prevents even the limited supply carriages from reaching their destination. The only continued supplies are carried out by the limited number of helicopters which run drop off missions. But this alone cannot handle the demand and it could put many more lives on risk. Mostly in the territory controlled by Tamil Tiger rebels.

The Tigers have been showing some reluctance to cooperate with the government, but have accepted offers of aid in addition to foreign relief assistance. They have been burning bodies and spraying chemicals in devastated areas of the north-east to try to prevent an outbreak. But as we know without supplies reaching them in time, the survival of the injured would be just but a false hope.

As mass burials have some what ceased, the problem of finding bodies in the midst of pouring water is the least of worries outlined by workers. It's saving the living thats imperative. But how effective it could be will depend on how horrible the monsoon is. Something we wish that could be wiped out from our troubles at a time like this.