Navy Clears Logjam at Peradeniya Black Bridge

Navy divers remove logs trapped at Peradeniya Black Bridge

Sri Lanka Navy divers have taken action to remove logs, bamboo bushes, and other debris trapped within the Peradeniya Black Bridge due to Cyclone Ditwa, restoring normal water flow.

Due to the rising water level of the Mahaweli River, logs and bamboo bushes that had been swept away became trapped at the Peradeniya Black Bridge, the railway bridge, and the Nillamba Kalugamuwa bridges, obstructing the proper flow of water. Operations providing diving assistance and technical contributions from the Navy to restore these bridges were successfully completed on December 14th and 17th.

A special diving team from the Navy provided assistance from December 4th to clear obstructions at the Black Bridge railway bridge. Following an continuous operation lasting approximately two weeks, with the cooperation of the Sri Lanka Railways Department, it was possible to remove the logs and large bamboo bushes trapped at the Black Bridge. This will enable the Railways Department to expedite future repair work by ensuring an unobstructed flow of water.

Furthermore, due to logs trapped at the Kalugamuwa Bridge across the Mahaweli River in the Peradeniya Nillamba area, there was a risk of damage to the main pipeline carrying water from Gatembe to Nillamba for the National Water Supply and Drainage Board's water treatment plant. The special diving assistance operation launched by the Navy on December 11th was successfully completed on December 14th, preventing potential damage to the water pipeline.

Meanwhile, under the special humanitarian aid and disaster relief operation launched by the Navy to provide relief to the public affected by adverse weather, 1378 individuals were rescued and 18301 people were taken to safe locations and provided relief between November 22nd and December 18th. The Navy also states that under the program to restore public life by cleaning public places, houses, and drinking water wells, 1025 water wells, 104 public places, and 83 houses have been cleaned and handed over.