Reservoirs overflow
Hemanthi Guruge
Wet weather predicted
The Meteorological Department announced that
thunder showers will develop in several parts of the island during the
afternoon and night. Occasional showers will continue with fairly heavy
falls at some places over the Northern, Eastern, Central, Uva, Northern,
Central and Hambantota district. Trincomalee experienced the highest
rain fall of 92.8 mm during the last 24 hours ending 8.30 am yesterday.
Heavy rain resulted in several reservoirs around the country reaching
spill level while some reservoirs were already overflowing, said
Irrigation Department Director General Dr G G A Godaliyadda.
Around 29 reservoirs out of the 59 have been overflowing due to the
heavy rain experienced in the country during the last few weeks, he
said.
Reservoirs in Ampara, Anuradhapura, Bandarawela, Batticaloa,
Hambantota, Moneragala, Polonnaruwa, Trincomalee and Vavuniya are
overflowing.
Ten spill gates of Kantale tank have been opened due to the
torrential rain that lashed the area. Around 1,500 cubic feet of water
per second were being released from the tank.
Eight out of 10 spill gates of Parakrama Samudraya had also been
opened while seven spill gates of Minneriya and four of Kaudulla tanks
had been opened. Approximately 1,600 cubic feet of water per second was
being released from the Minneriya tank. Approximately 2,500 cubic feet
of water per second was being released from the Kaudulla tank. The
Girithale tank in Polonnaruwa district was also overflowing.
The Somawathi route and Manampitiya road were inundated while the
Parakrama Samudraya was overflowing. |