Breach in sand bund inferred to be cause of inland flow of sea in Kalutara

A breach created in a sand bund has resulted in the current situation of coastal land being encroached by the ocean in Kalutara, Chief Engineer of the Coastal Conservation Division under the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, R. A. S. Ranawaka said.

In order to control the overflowing of the Kalu River which occurred as a result of the monsoonal rains during the past few days, officials had created a breach in the sand bund between the estuary and the River, in order to culvert the excess flood water away from the land and towards the ocean.

However, now that the river water levels have returned to normal, the sea waves are reportedly encroaching the coastal lands of Kalutara, by flowing inland through the breach in the sand bund.

A team of personnel, including officials of the Coastal Conservation Department, surveyed the site in Kalutara today (06), in order to assess the situation and infer the cause for the problem.
 
Upon an inquiry made by Ada Derana, the Chief Engineer of the Department’s Coastal Conservation Division assured that no risk of contamination of drinking water had been discovered, and added that the river currents were strong enough to ward off the ocean currents, preventing such contamination.

He stated that steps would be taken to place sand bags and heavy rocks as a barricade against the tides, adding that the breach was likely to resolve naturally with time.

The rising tides have already uprooted several coconut trees near the Kalutara railway track, the Chief Engineer confirmed.

Accordingly, the Navy camp, railway line and bridges of Kalutara are evidently at risk due to the prevailing situation.