Water levels in power generating reservoirs low albeit weather causing havoc

By Prasad Rukmal, Ranjith Rajapakse, Hiran Priyankara and D.G. Sugathapala  

Despite the prevailing inclement weather having caused much havoc disrupting civilian life and the breakdown of utility services including electricity, the engineers in charge of the hydropower generating reservoirs said the rain fall experienced in the catchment areas was not adequate to raise the water level in Castlereigh and Maussakele reservoirs..   
More than 1,430 people in 372 families in the Nuwara Eliya District had been displaced due to heavy rain and the gale force winds experienced at present. A senior official of the district Disaster Management Centre said more than 340 houses had been damaged due to the gale force winds. He said the displaced families were provided temporary shelter at three welfare centres.   
Meanwhile, 550 people in 160 families in the Badulla District had been displaced when their houses were extensively damaged by gale force winds.   
Badulla District Secretary Pandula Sri Prabhath Abeywardene said yesterday Welimada, Uva Paranagama, Kandeketiya, Meegahakiula, Ella, Ridimaliyedda, Bandarawela, Haputale and Haliela divisions had been affected by the inclement weather.  
He said the gale force winds experienced at times with heavy rain had caused damage to houses in these areas and that steps would be taken to estimate the damage and pay compensation.  Meanwhile, fishermen in the Puttalam District refrained from fisheries activities in view of any possible danger from the strong winds and the rough seas experienced at present. More than 500 fisheries boats had been left on anchor for the past several days.    In the Galle District, 2,190 people in 22 divisions had been affected by the prevailing inclement weather by last morning. Asst Director, Galle District Disaster Management Centre Lt. Col. Dinesh Liyanagama said 716 houses, and the buildings of eleven temples and ten government schools had been damaged. However, he said no casualties had been reported.