SLUICE GATES OPEN; EXPECT RAINS TILL FEB, SAYS WEATHERMAN

Sluice gates of several reservoirs had been opened since the water levels had reached spill level, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said yesterday.

Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology said that heavy showers could continue till February next year.

DMC Spokesman Pradeep Kodippili said five out of ten gates of the Parakrama Samudra had been opened as of Tuesday morning.

He said 840 cubic meters were being released per minute.

In addition gates at Rajangana, Angamuwa, Deduru Oya and Kukule Ganga have also been opened.

He said gates of Lakshapana and Kotmale, which were opened on Tuesday evening, were closed last morning. Meanwhile, the Department of Meteorology said that showery conditions would intensify to some extent over the South Western Part of the Island during the coming days.

“Accordingly showers exceeding 100mm are expected. Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places over the island after 2.00 p.m,” a meteorologist said.

“Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places over the coastal areas around the island in the morning too,”he said.a rainfall of 127 mm was recorded in Colombo suburbs with the highest fall of 127mm recorded from Padukka. Moneragala has experienced a rainfall of 105.1mm, Kurunegala 56.1mm, Katugastota 70mm, Ratmalana 45.8mm, Nuwara Eliya 26.3mm and Colombo 42.9mm.two sluice gates of the Thabbowa Reservoir were opened late last evening to release some of the pressure as a result of the excessive rain that had collected.