Despite continuous rain, reservoirs not up to capacity

13 September 2023 09:22 am Views - 124

• Capacity of the Castlereigh reservoir was increasing fast due to heavy rain in western slopes of the central hills
• Randenigala reservoir stood at 4.2 percent of the total capacity

By Nimal Kolambissa and Manura Sellahewa   

Despite heavy rain experienced all over the country, the catchments of the main hydropower reservoirs in the central hill have not yet received sufficient rainfall.   
Mahaweli Authority had reported yesterday that the capacity of Kotmale, Victoria and Randenigala reservoirs had not improved.  

The report indicated that Randenigala reservoir stood at 4.2 percent of the total capacity of 801million cubic metres by last morning and Victoria reservoir at 26.1 percent of its total capacity and Kotmale reservoir at 50.1 percent of the total capacity. Moragahakada reservoir stood at 11.1 percent of its total capacity.  

However, the Engineers in Charge of the Castlereigh reservoir were optimistic about the situation. They said the capacity of the reservoir was increasing fast due to the heavy rainfall experienced in the western slopes of the central hills.   

They said the water level of the reservoir stood 22ft below the spill level by last morning and that steps had been taken to release water to generate power to the maximum.