Spill gates of several reservoirs have been opened amid heavy rainfall prevailing across the country.
Accordingly, water is being released from the Deduru Oya, Rajanganaya, Kukule Ganga and Kalawewa reservoirs, while people living in areas along rivers and low-lying areas of these reservoirs have been advised to remain vigilant.
Eight spill gates of the Deduru Oya Reservoir have been opened by two feet each to control the water level, releasing 10,400 cubic feet of water per second into the Deduru Oya.
The Department of Irrigation stated that the extent to which the spill gates remain open may change depending on rainfall in the reservoir's catchment area and the volume of water flowing into the reservoir.
Meanwhile, six spill gates of the Rajanganaya Reservoir have also been opened, with more than 3,800 cubic feet of water per second currently being released into the Kala Oya.
The water release is expected to be increased to 8,000 cubic feet per second by 9.00 a.m. However, this may change depending on the prevailing rainfall and the volume of water entering the reservoir.
At the Kukule Ganga Reservoir, one spill gate has also been opened in view of the prevailing rainfall.
A volume of 45 cubic meters of water per second is being released through the spill gate, while a further 48 cubic meters per second is discharged during power generation.
Accordingly, the total volume of water released from the reservoir into the Kuda Ganga stands at 93 cubic meters per second, reservoir engineers stated.
Meanwhile, the water level of Kalawewa Reservoir has also risen amid heavy rainfall.
With rainfall in the upper catchment area, approximately 5,500 cubic feet of water per second is flowing into Kalawewa through the Dambulu Oya. Its current water storage has increased to 83,782 acre-feet.
In view of the risk of Kalawewa Reservoir overflowing, its two emergency spill gates have been opened by six inches each. As a result, 511 cubic feet of water per second is being released into the Kala Oya.
In light of these developments, people living along the Deduru Oya downstream of the Deduru Oya Reservoir and in areas along the Kala Oya downstream of the Rajanganaya Reservoir have been advised to remain alert to changes in water levels in the respective rivers and streams.
The public has also been urged to follow official announcements issued by the Department of Irrigation and disaster management authorities regarding the opening of spill gates and the release of water, and to act accordingly.
