Despite the rains, reservoirs still below 50%

• Water level in the Kotmale reservoir: 32.7%
• Water level in the Victoria reservoir: 32.9%
• Water level in the Rantembe reservoir: 28.5%

By Ajith Siriwardana   

Despite the torrential rains countrywide the water levels in most reservoirs such as Castlereagh, Mausakelle and Victoria were still less than 50 per cent except the Randenigala reservior which stood at 89.4%, the Mahaweli Authority said.   

It said the water level in the Kotmale reservoir was 32.7%, Victoria 32.9%, Randenigala 89.4%, Rantembe 28.5%, Bowatenna 35.4%, Castlereagh 18.1% and Mausakelle 16.7% as at April 18, 2019.   

The Meteorology Department said hydro-power catchment areas had received little rain during the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. yesterday.   
According to the Meteorology Department, Castlereagh had received a rainfall of 18mm, Norton 7mm, Mausakelle 30mm, Canyon 9.2mm, Lakshapana 5mm, Upper Kotmale 45.5mm, Kotmale 7.5mm and Victoria 1.2mm.   

It said Dethanagala in the Ratnapura district had received the highest rainfall of 57mm during the 24 hours ending at 8.30 a.m. yesterday.   
The Met Department said thundershowers were likely to occur in the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, North-Western, North-Central and Western Provinces and in the Mannar and Vauniya districts.   

It said heavy fall of more than 100mm can be expected at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Uva, Western and North-Western Provinces as well.   
Meanwhile, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) hydro power generation was reported at 7.2 GWh out of the total energy generation of 34.08 GWh.