Talagala Oya Overflow Blamed for Nuwara Eliya Floods

Nuwara Eliya Mayor Upali Wanigasekara states that the flood situation that occurred in Nuwara Eliya town on November 27th was caused by the overflow of the Talagala Oya, which originates from Pidurutalagala Mountain. The Mayor made this statement yesterday (18) at a press conference held at the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council Hall.

Although some media reports claimed that the city was inundated due to the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council not opening the sluice gates of Gregory Lake, the Mayor emphasized that these statements are false. He further stated that both sluice gates of Gregory Lake were opened before the city was submerged.

The Mayor further explained that the Nuwara Eliya city was inundated due to the rise in the water level of the Talagala Oya caused by three consecutive days of heavy rainfall, unauthorized constructions in the city, the narrowing of canals, and the inability to widen the sluice gates of Gregory Lake.

Numerous locations, including the road leading to the Nuwara Eliya District General Hospital, the Racecourse, and the Golf Course, have been destroyed due to floods and landslides.

The Mayor stated that everyone's cooperation is essential to develop the affected agricultural, tourism, and commercial sectors and to restore the city to normalcy. He further added that the Nuwara Eliya Municipal Council is prepared to implement short, medium, and long-term programs to prevent such flood situations in the future.

Deputy Mayor Senior Attorney Sivanajothy Yogaraja, the Municipal Commissioner, the Municipal Secretary, and members of the Municipal Council's governing body were also present at this press conference.