SEVERAL VILLAGES UNDER WATER DUE TO YANOYA RESERVOIR OVERFLOWING

Several villages had been submerged yesterday when Yanoya reservoir overflowed much to the concern of a large population. The affected villages had not been warned of possible threat of flooding by a Chinese company which undertook the construction project. The displaced villagers said they were in a predicament due to the unexpected flood threat caused by the filling of the reservoir.

Constructions of the Yanoya project planned by the Department of Irrigation commenced in 2012. A dam across the Yanoya river that flowed into the sea at Pulmudai was constructed by a Chinese construction company under the supervision of the department. The project was intended to feed Padaviya and Iranamadu tanks. Residents of the area said several villagers in the Horowpathana Division that would go under the project had been identified in the survey and the people were resettled in other areas after paying compensation.

They pointed out that several other villages including Mawathawewa, Aliyakadawewa, Mradanmaduwa, Ihala Divulwewa , Pahaladivulwewa, Elapathawewa and Wagollakada that had not been earmarked to go under water was now facing a flood threat after the reservoir accumulated with water. They said the wild eleplants in the flood hit areas were roaming into the villages and that villager hit by a wild elephant was admitted to Anuradhapura teaching hospital .

However, Anuradhapura District Secretary R.m.wanninayaka said he had not yet received any report in this regard from the Divisional Secretary, but he would immediately look into the issue.