Torrential rains continue

A’pura tanks, reservoirs filled to brim:

Nimal Wijesinghe Anuradhapura Additional District Group Corr

The torrential rains since December 23 night have filled reservoirs and almost all small tanks in the Anuradhapura district.

Zonal Irrigation Director Wasantha Bandara Palugaswewa told the Daily News that four gates of the Rajangane reservoir were re-opened on Thursday night to release the surplus water to the downstream region at a speed of 3,200 feet per second.

Kalawewa reservoir water is being diverted to Kala Oya at a speed of 3,000 feet per second, Palugaswewa said.

“The tanks which didn’t get adequate water due to the long delay in monsoon showers are now gaining more water reaching at the normal Maha seasonal water levels,” Palugaswewa said. Padaviya tank’s water storage capacity is 85,000 acre feet and at present the capacity occupies 52,000 acre feet.

The present capacity of Huruluwewa is 24,800 acre feet against its full capacity of 55,000 acre feet.

“The spill level of Nuwara Wewa tank is 23 feet and at present the level is at 22nd feet,” Palugaswewa said.

Mahawilachchiya and Basawakkulama tanks are now spilling.

This is a very satisfactory situation, Palugaswewa said.

He said residents living along the downstream canal banks of Rajangane, Nuwara Wewa, Mahawilachchiya and Nachchaduwa are warned to be on the alert to avoid any disaster resulting from inundation.