Colombo Floods to Persist Until Tomorrow Evening (Dec 1st) - Irrigation DG's Statement

The statement issued this evening (30th) by Mr. Ajith Gunasekara, Director General of Irrigation, regarding the current disaster situation is as follows:
 "Due to the prevailing adverse weather conditions, an explanation can be provided regarding the reservoirs and rivers under the Department of Irrigation. Firstly, focusing on the Kelani River, the water level in the Colombo area has currently exceeded the critical level to some extent.

The current flood level will remain the same in Colombo for the next 24 hours, meaning until tomorrow evening. If there is any increase, the flood level will rise by a very small amount, such as six inches. It can be predicted that the flood level will start to recede from the morning after tomorrow. Similarly, in Hanwella and upstream areas, the flood level is currently receding.

The flood level will not increase further. In areas near Colombo, the flood level will remain as it is today and tomorrow. Next, regarding the Attanagalu Oya, Gampaha town has been primarily affected by it. It is expected that the flood level in Gampaha town will remain the same today. It can be predicted that the flood level will start to recede from tomorrow morning or afternoon.

Accordingly, it is expected that by tomorrow evening, the flood level will have receded in most places in Gampaha town, except for low-lying areas. Next, the flood level in Giriulla town, which has been severely affected by the Maha Oya river that flows into the sea near Kochchikade, is currently receding.

Moving forward, the flood level in Giriulla town is expected to recede by tomorrow morning. However, areas below Giriulla, such as Badalgama and Katana, may experience a minor impact. But it will not be a severe impact. Public life will not be affected more severely than the current situation.

Next, regarding the Kalu River, the flood level in the Kalutara area is experiencing some increase. With the reduction in rainfall, it can be predicted that the flood level in Ratnapura town will recede and return to normal.

Next, regarding the Deduru Oya, our Deduru Oya reservoir is currently overflowing. Efforts are underway to control the overflow, which is about one hundred thousand cubic feet per second, and reduce it by tomorrow morning. Areas including Chilaw General Hospital are currently submerged. It is expected that by tomorrow morning, the flood levels in these areas will recede and return to normal.

Next, due to the overflowing of major tanks in the Anuradhapura District, a flood situation has occurred in Anuradhapura town along the Malwathu Oya. It is highly likely that this level will persist throughout tomorrow. By tomorrow evening, the flood level will begin to recede. Then, by the day after tomorrow, the flood level will have subsided.

Next is our main reservoir, the Rajanganaya Reservoir. Approximately one hundred thousand cubic feet per second was released from the Rajanganaya Reservoir into the Kala Oya. Currently, about 60,000 cubic feet per second is being released. Due to this, the Eluwankulama area and the Kala Oya, Nochchiyagama area were submerged. This situation is now subsiding to some extent. By tomorrow evening, these flood conditions will recede. Receding does not mean returning to dry weather, but it will allow public life to adapt without further danger.

Regarding our reservoirs, none of them are in a dangerous state. With the heavy rainfall experienced in recent days, we have ensured the safety of all reservoirs by opening spill gates to their maximum capacity and to the required extent. There is no danger to any of the reservoirs.

Finally, the flood situation in the Trincomalee District along the Mahaweli River remains the same, and it will continue to be so tomorrow. Currently, the maximum flood situation is in the Trincomalee District. It will persist in the same way tomorrow. The flood situation will only begin to subside after tomorrow.



The flood situation caused by the Mahaweli River in the Polonnaruwa District has now receded. However, a certain flood level still remains. All reservoirs in the Polonnaruwa District, such as Minneriya and Kaudulla, are still overflowing. Approximately 200 meters near the Elahera main anicut, which supplies water to the Minneriya, Kantale, and Kaudulla tanks under the Department of Irrigation in the Polonnaruwa District, has been washed away. The Department of Irrigation will undertake repairs for these in the future.

That's all there is to say about the flood situation. There is no danger. Currently, the maximum flood level is in the Trincomalee District along the Mahaweli River. It can be stated that in no other district will the flood level increase beyond the current level or what it was yesterday, given the prevailing weather conditions."