Over 80% of major scale reservoirs filled

Priyanka Kurugala

Irrigation Director General Bhadra Kamaladasa said 84 percent of all major scale reservoirs under the Irrigation Department have been filled due to the heavy rains.

She requested the public living in danger prone areas to be alert to all announcements issued from time to time. Officers have also been advised to act swiftly in case of an emergency situation. "There are 71 major reservoirs maintained by the Irrigation Department. The capacity of these reservoirs are 2,400,000 acft, "she said.

She explained that, 48 of the 71 reservoirs are at spill level by now. The spill gates of around 20 reservoirs were opened.

These reservoirs are Kanthale- Trincomalee District, Iginimitiya, Thabbowa- Puttalum District, Kawdulla, Minneriya, Parakramasamudraya - Polonnaruwa District, Ambakolawewa, Kimbulwana- Kurunegala District, Nalanda- Matale District, Weheragala, Mawaara, Lunugamwehera- Hambantota District, Rugamunnachci- Baticallo District and Mahakandarawa, Nachchduwa, Padaviya, Rajanganaya, Wahalkada- Anuradhapura District. "One hundred and twenty of the 160 medium scale reservoirs under the Irrigation Department are at spill level so far, "Kamaladasa said.