Water shortage in some areas due to government’s decision to go for hydro power generation

Colombo, April 16 (Daily Mirror) - Some areas are facing a water shortage as a result of the government’s decision to use the water in the main reservoirs for power generation, Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) alleged.

FSP's Public Affairs Secretary Duminda Nagamuwa told a briefing that the decision to use water in the main reservoirs for power generation was made during a meeting which Minister of Agriculture K.D. Lal Kantha and Minister of Power and Energy Kumara Jayakody have had with the officials of both the power and agriculture sectors.

Nagamuwa said there is a water shortage in some areas, including Balagolla, Kundasale, and Digana.

"The responsibility of this decision should be borne by the political leadership of the government and one cannot put the blame on the officials. This is because both Ministers have participated in the meeting," Nagamuwa said.

He said the agriculture sector has also been hit by the government decision.

Nagamuwa reminded that Victoria is a multi-purpose reservoir from which water is used for various purposes such as power generation and supply of drinking water. He said the capacity of Victoria is down to 330 cubic metres from the usual level of 405 cubic metres.

He said a fresh discussion should be held to decide on proper water management strategies.

Meanwhile, as per the data published in the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) as at April 14, 10.85 Gwh of power has been generated though hydro power plants under the board while 1.49 Gwh has been produced by small hydro power plants owned by the private sector, some 10.85 Gwh of power has been generated from coal, 5.74 Gwh from thermal power using fuel.