Reservoirs rising

Water levels rising in many reservoirs; but too early to issue warning, say officials

Water levels of several major reservoirs were rising as a result of torrential rains, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said yesterday.

However, the DMC said it was too early to issue warning signals as water levels of most of the reservoirs were yet to reach their spill levels.

According to DMC sluice gates of Rajangana and Veheragala reservoirs were opened after they started overflowing.

Ampara Deputy Director of Irrigation Nimal Siriwardene said the water level in the Inginiyagala Senanayake Samudra had risen to 95. 8ft last morning.

“If the inclement weather continued, the reservoir would spill over compelling to open spill gates,” he said.

He said continual rain was experienced for 48 hours from Saturday. He said the spill-over level of the reservoir was 110 ft. and that it was rising fast due to heavy rains in the Uva and Bibile areas.

He however warned that in case the reservoir reached spill over level, the people living in the low lying areas of the Gal Oya should be cautious of any possible floods.

Moneragala District Irrigation Engineer Amarajeewa Liyanage said water is being released to the Menik Ganga from the Veheragala reservoir at a rate of 1500 cubic feet a second.

He warned the families living on the banks of the Menik Ganga to be cautious when using the river.

The engineer said the water level at the Lunugamvehera reservoir had reached 130,000 acre/feet and steps were taken to release water to the tanks and minor irrigation works to prevent any possible danger. Additional reports from Kumara C. Liyanarachchi, M.K. J. Nandasena and Sudath M. Hewa.