The Irrigation Department has issued a flood warning for several low-lying areas along the Deduru Oya following heavy rainfall in the upper and middle reaches of the river basin.
According to the Department’s Hydrology and Disaster Management Division, the water level of the Deduru Oya is approaching flood level, prompting the opening of the spillway gates of the Deduru Oya Reservoir.
Water is currently being released into the river at a rate of approximately 16,500 cubic feet per second. The Irrigation Department has warned that the discharge rate could be increased further depending on the volume of water flowing into the reservoir.
The warning covers low-lying areas within the Wariyapola, Nikaweratiya, Maho, Kobeigane, Bingiriya, Pallama, Chilaw, Arachchikattuwa and Rasnayakapura Divisional Secretariat Divisions in the Deduru Oya Basin.
Residents in the affected areas and motorists travelling along roads in these locations have been strongly advised to remain vigilant and exercise extreme caution due to the risk of flooding.
Meanwhile, disaster management authorities have also been requested to take the necessary precautionary measures in response to the developing situation.
The warning was issued by Engineer L.S. Sooriyabandara, the Director of Irrigation (Hydrology and Disaster Management) at the Irrigation Department.
