Inclement weather causes flash floods

• At least 35 houses have gone under water and transport in several areas come to a standstill

By Dileep Jayasekara, Indika Aruna Kumara, B.G.Chaturanga and Wasantha Chandrapala  

The overflow of tanks and reservoirs has disrupted civilian life in several areas.Heavy rainfall experienced yesterday had resulted in a flood threat in Suriyawewa, Rammuduwewa, Meegahajadura, and Habaraththawela in the Hambantota District. Overflowing of the Malwathu Oya had caused floods in the North including Mannar and Madu.   

At least 35houses had gone under water and transport in several areas come to a standstill. Suriyawewa- Thanamalwila main highway and several other road were under water.Several tanks including Meegaswewa, Nikawewa, Demodarawewa, Sinhalayagamawewa, and Mahawewa were overflowing. Irrigation Engineers said spill water from these tanks flowed into Malara canal creating a flood threat in Meegahajadura and Ranmuduwa areas. More than 40 houses and the roads in Lunugamwehera division had gone under water.  
Lunugamwehera Divisional Irrigation Engneer K.H.N.Sahan Kumara said six spill gates in the Lunugamwehera reservoir were opened to release spill water at a speed of 6150cu.ft. per second into Kirindi Oya . He said Weerawilawewa spilt over yesterday and that 1500 cu.ft of water per second was being released to Kirindi Oya. Irrigation Engineeer warned the people living in low lying areas of the river to be cautious of imminent flood threat if the prevailing inclement weather persisted. Tissamaharama Divisional Secretary said the low lying area of Magama, Andaragasyaya, Thellulla, and Konwelena had already gone under water.Engineer In Charge of Moragahakanda and Kaluganga reservoirs P. S. Bandara that the water level in the two reservoirs were on the verge of spill over due to the heavy rainfall in the central hills. He has informed this to Matale and Polonnaruwa District Secretaries, Divisional Secretaries and the Police Stations to create awareness among the people of any flood threat if the spill gates were opened. He said the water level of Moragahakanda reservoir stood at 93.46% of the normal capacity and that of Kaluganga reservoir 97.47%.Ampara District Irrigation Engineer Wasantha Kumara said the water level in Senanayaka Samudra reservoir in Inginiyagala was rising fast due to heavy rain experienced in Ampara and Bibile areas. He said the total capacity of the reservoir was 770000 acre feet and that the water level had risen to 392800 acre feet.He said other tanks and minor irrigation works had risen.Meanwhile Irrigation Engineer In Charge of Nachchaduwa reservoir said six spill gates were opened last morning to release spill water at a speed of 2200 cu.ft. into Malawathu Oya. 

•  Tissamaharama Divisional Secretary said the low lying area of Magama, Andaragasyaya, Thellulla, and Konwelena had already gone under water