Upper Kotmale spillway opens, other reservoirs near overflow

By Gamini Bandara Illangantilaka and Ranjith Rajapaksa

Colombo, July 24 (Daily Mirror) - A spill gate of the Upper Kotmale Reservoir has been opened as water levels in the Maussakelle and Castlereagh reservoirs approach overflow levels due to continued heavy rains on the western slopes of the Central Hills, the Nuwara Eliya District Disaster Management Unit said.

The unit has urged residents living along both banks of the Kotmale Oya downstream of the dam to remain cautious, warning that additional spillway gates may open automatically if heavy rainfall continues in the Upper Kotmale catchment areas.

The recent rains have also caused significant increases in the water flow of the St. Clair and Devon waterfalls.

Engineers managing the Maussakelle and Castlereagh reservoirs reported that as of 6:00 a.m. today (24), water levels were just six and four feet below spill level, respectively.

The six hydroelectric power stations under the Laxapana Hydroelectric Power Complex Laxapana, New Laxapana, Polpitiya, Wimalasurendra, Canyon and Broadland rely heavily on these two reservoirs. Electrical engineers confirmed that maximum electricity is currently being generated using the available water resources.