A'pura tanks continue to spill

Yasaratne GAMAGE

Further torrential rains have caused a resumption in the rise in the water levels of a majority of tanks in the North Central Province with some of them already reaching spill level.

The Mankadawala School close to Saliyapura in Anuradhapura was affected when Mankadawala tank overflowed last Monday.

School activities were halted as a result and it is reported that by yesterday the water level in the school premises had began to recede.

According to Irrigation and Water Resources Management sources, Mannakatti, Eruwewa, Nachchaduwa, Thantirimalaya, Kanadarawa,

Basawakkulama, Padaviya, Huruluwewa, Mahawillachchiya and

Mahalindawewa tanks are all overflowing. As Nachchaduwa tank continues to spill through its six gates, some areas in Hindogama, Track Seven and 10, banks of Malwathuoya and low lands in the sacred city including 'Sinha Kanuwa' are under threat, the sources said.

Irrigation officials have opened two spill gates upto seven feet in the Padaviya tank which releases 600 sq ft of water per second. The spill gates of Thantirimalaya tank were also opened by three feet.

Irrigation and Water Resources Management Deputy Minister W B Ekanayake told the Daily News that all disaster management procedures are in place.

He further noted that the Government has provided facilities to the victims. "Some Government officers neglect their duty, so I have warned them," he said.

There are some problems regarding the land ownership in some areas when we evacuate them and in resettling them, but we make every effort to keep just and fair, he told.