Heavy rains make A’pura tanks spill

Nimal Wijesinghe - Anuradhapura Additional District Group Correspondent

Resulting from the heavy rains continuing for the last three days, almost all large, medium and small-scale tanks in Anuradhapura district have started spilling.

Though there hasn't been a highly disastrous situation, some areas in the district including Horowpothana township and habitations along the banks of Malwathu Oya in Anuradhapura (Central) and (East) Nuwaragampalatha Divisional Secretariat Divisions are being inundated, causing the immediate evacuation of the dwellers.

Anuradhapura District Irrigation Director Lalith de Alwis told the ‘Daily News’ that except for Padaviya reservoirs such as Wahalkada, Maha Wilachchiya, Mahakanadarawa, Eruwewa, Manankattiya, Nuwarawewa, Tisawewa, Basawakkulama, Nachchaduwa, Rajangane and Angamuwa were spilling.

The roadways in the proximity of Wahalkada tank are submerged.

Out of 86 medium-scale tanks in Anuradhapura district 75 tanks are spilling and the water levels of the balance are on the rapid increase. In addition, 3,000 small tanks come within the purview of Agrarian Services Department too are spilling.

It has been estimated that around 10,000 acres of paddy and subsidiary food crops cultivations are under water in the district.

North Central Province Chief Minister Ranjith Samarakoon toured the disaster-hit areas on December 23 to inquire the health of the people. He instructed officials to take immediate remedial steps to comfort those in distress by providing them with security, cooked food, temporary shelter and rescue operations.

Anuradhapura Additional Government Agent K B Hettiarachchi told the ‘Daily News’ that so far 14 camps for flood victims have been opened such as Anuradhapura Central (03), Anuradhapura East (05), Rajangane (02), Nachchaduwa (01), Tambutthegama (01), Talawa (01), Ipologama (01) and few more to be started in Horowpothana and Kalawewa areas depending on the rain situation.

According to him so far around Rs one million had been spent for providing food and shelter to the victimized persons.