Heavy rain raises water levels in key reservoirs

By Gamini Bandara Ilangatilleka and Indika Runa Kumara 

Colombo, June 17 (Daily Mirror) - Continuous heavy rains experienced in the central hills has resulted in a significant rise in the water levels of the Maussakele and Castlereigh reservoirs.

Engineers in charge of the two reservoirs said this morning that the water level in the Maussakele reservoir was 16 feet below spill level, while Castlereigh stood 12 feet below. They noted that the water levels of both reservoirs were rising rapidly.

They also pointed out that the Canyon, Wimalasurendra, Laxapana, New Laxapana, Polpitiya and Broadland hydropower complexes are supplied by the Maussakele and Castlereigh reservoirs.

Meanwhile, Engineer in Charge of the Moragahakanda project, P.S. Bandara said the water capacity of the Moragahakanda reservoir had increased to 90 percent of its capacity. He said the reservoir, which has a spill level of 185 metres, stood at 183 metres by this morning due to the continuous heavy rains in the catchment areas.

He expressed satisfaction that adequate irrigation facilities for agriculture could now be ensured. He added that the Moragahakanda reservoir provides irrigation to 7,000 hectares under the Elahera agricultural scheme and that the supply of water was also needed for the Minneriya, Kaudulla, Girithale, Kanthale and Parakrama Samudra tanks and reservoirs.

Currently, 15 megawatts of power is being added to the national grid from the Moragahakanda project, he further said.