Spill gates opened

Disna Mudalige

The water levels of most tanks and reservoirs have reached spill level with rains being experienced in many parts of the island, Irrigation Department Director General Dr. G. G. A. Godaliyadda told the Daily News yesterday. He said that spill gates of about 15 tanks and reservoirs were opened on Saturday to prevent overflowing. He said that spill gates of about 10 tanks and reservoirs in six districts are still open.

Water in six tanks and reservoirs in the Anuradhapura district have been released, he said.

In the Anuradhapura district, seven spill gates of Rajanganaya reservoir were opened upto five feet while water had been released by Tissa wewa and Basawakkulama wewa exceeding one foot. Nuwara Wewa spill gates were opened upto seven inches. Nachchiduwa wewa had also reached spill level and measures had been taken to release the water to Malwathu Oya by opening three spill gates. Spill gates of Mahavilachchiya wewa and Wahalkada wewa were also opened.

In the Kurunegala district two spill gates of Ambakolawewa were opened and the water was flowing to Mee Oya. The director general said that with the improvement of weather conditions, the department was considering the gradual closing of spill gates in this area. Four gates of Igimitiya reservoir in the Puttalam district were opened upto three inches yesterday since the water of Mee Oya was flowing to the reservoir.

Meanwhile spill gates were closed by three inches yesterday in Dewahuwa reservoir in Matale district. The department had to open two spill gates of this reservoir upto seven inches following heavy rain on Saturday. Godaliyadda said that Wemadilla reservoir spill gates were also opened upto one and half feet to control the water level of Nalanda reservoir.

Water had been released to Manik Ganga from Weheragala reservoir in Hambantota by opening two spill gates on Saturday and yesterday. The director general said that the department was considering the closing of Lunugamvehera tank spill gates in which two gates were opened upto six inches during the past two days. Spill gates of one tank in the Batticaloa district were also opened upto one and half inches, he said.

The director general requested the public to be cautious and not to bath in reservoirs and tanks. He said that if the rains continue, the department might have to open more spill gates. He also requested the people living near tanks and reservoirs not to get unduly disturbed since the department would inform beforehand if spill gates are to be opened.