Kelani River Situation Dire: Colombo to Face Worse Flooding Than 2016 Tomorrow, Warns Irrigation Director

Mr. Ajith Gunasekara, Director General of the Department of Irrigation, issued a special warning about the current disaster situation at a press conference held today. His comments are as follows: 

Regarding the tanks under the Department of Irrigation, more than 50 large-scale reservoirs are currently overflowing. Approximately 50 medium-scale tanks are also overflowing.

Among the large-scale tanks, the Deduru Oya Reservoir faced the most problematic situation. However, the Deduru Oya Reservoir is now under control, and there is no risk there. Nevertheless, about 100,000 cubic feet of water per second is still overflowing. Due to this, the Padeniya - Anuradhapura road is completely submerged, so it is not advisable for anyone to go to that area.

Subsequently, regarding the tanks in Anuradhapura, Nachchadoowa Tank and other tanks are overflowing. As a result, areas around Anuradhapura city are submerged.

Looking at Puttalam, both the Inginiimitiya and Thabbowa tanks there are overflowing. As a result, the Puttalam - Anuradhapura road is submerged. Also, some areas in Puttalam are completely submerged, and inaccessible areas have been identified. Furthermore, due to the overflowing of the Deduru Oya Reservoir, the tanks downstream have reached flood levels. Consequently, there is a high probability that Chilaw town will be submerged.

On the other side of Anuradhapura, considering the Yan Oya River, the Yan Oya Reservoir is overflowing. When I say 'overflowing,' I refer to instances where a slightly larger amount of water is discharged. Both the Yan Oya Reservoir and the Padaviya Reservoir are overflowing. As a result, the areas of Horowpathana, Kebithigollewa, and Padavi Sri Pura are submerged.

Furthermore, regarding the Senanayake Samudraya, we are holding back water without opening the spill gates. Currently, a small amount is overflowing naturally. We expect to open the spill gates slightly by tomorrow. The reason is that the Gal Oya River is completely full. If we open the spill gates, more paddy fields could be damaged, so we will have to wait until the rain subsides a bit and then open the spill gates of Senanayake Samudraya by tomorrow.

Additionally, regarding the Kelani River, according to the data from the water gauge in Avissawella, there is a possibility that Colombo will experience a flood situation worse than in 2016 by tomorrow. This is unlikely to change significantly, and it can be assumed that it will exceed the 2016 flood level. Therefore, it is advisable for residents living around the Kelani River and in Colombo to move valuable items such as educational certificates and vehicles, or themselves, to safe locations.

Moreover, the water level of the Gin River may also increase. There is no such problem with the Nilwala River. The Veheragala and Lunugamwehera reservoirs associated with the Menik River are also overflowing. Even if they overflow, there isn't a major problem there.

The Kelani River was seen this morning  (28) with a large, strong current not seen before.
Video click here