Mahaweli Authority begins safety inspections of reservoirs after recent cyclone

By Indika Sri Aravinda

Colombo, January 5 (Daily Mirror) - The Mahaweli Authority has begun a comprehensive quality and safety inspection of both large-scale and small-scale reservoirs under its purview, including those used for hydroelectric power generation, following recent landslides and floods triggered by the cyclone “Ditwah”.

Chief Engineer of the Mahaweli Authority, D.M. Dharmadasa, said the inspections are being carried out to determine whether the reservoirs have been affected by the adverse weather conditions.

Accordingly, inspections are underway at 20 reservoirs managed by the Mahaweli Authority, including 10 reservoirs that contribute to national hydroelectric power generation. These include the Victoria, Kotmale, Rantambe, Randenigala, Dambulu Oya, Moragahakanda, Polgolla, Udawalawa, Bowatenna and Maduru Oya reservoirs.

The inspections are being conducted in collaboration with the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), and the Disaster Management Centre will be informed of any reservoirs identified as posing potential risks.

Mr. Dharmadasa said special attention will be given to the Kotmale and Uma Oya reservoir projects, with inspections prioritised based on data from previous analysis reports.