RESERVOIRS AND TANKS IN RAJARATA SPILLING OVER

Several major reservoirs and tanks in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa districts have started spilling over much to the relief of the people in Rajarata area who had been facing a drought for more than six months. Parakrama Samudra in Polonnaruwa had reached spill level last morning due to the torrential rain experienced in the area that resulted in the opening of eight out of ten spill gates by two feet to release excess water at a speed of 2250 cu.ft. per second into Ambanganga.

Director of Irrigation Polonnaruwa Zone S.K. Hewagama said the capacity of the reservoir stood at 111,400 acre feet by last morning. He said water for paddy cultivation in the Maha season would be released as expected on November 10.

Several tanks and reservoirs in the Anuradhapura districts were spilling over by last morning. A spokesman for the Irrigation Department said about 70 percent of the small and medium level tanks and reservoirs were spilling over. He said Thisawewa , Baswakkulama, Kalawewa, Mahakanadarawa reservoirs were fast reaching spill level.

The Nuwarawewa reservoir, Rajangana reservoir and Mahavilachchiya reservoir were among them. Irrigation Engineer Shayamini Ilangasinghe said four out of six spill gates in Nachchaduwa reservoir were opened to release excess water into Malwatuoya River.

Meanwhile, Engineer in Charge of the Rajangana reservoir said two out of thirty spill gates were opened to release excess water into the Kala Oya.