Mitigation of Kaluganga flood threat

By Kusal Chamath

The Ratnapura District Development Committee has decided to implement the Dry Dam concept to prevent the flood threat caused by the overflowing of the Kaluganga every year. The committee met at the Ratnapura District Secretariat under the Co- Chairmanship of the Sabaragamuwa Governor Tikiri Kobbekaduwa and District Parliamentarian Akila Ellawala.  
The members of the committee pointed out that several areas from Ratnapura to Panadura faced a flood threat when the river overflowed. They said much havoc had been caused by floods in 2017 and the damage to physical resources including residential houses, shops, roads and bridges exceeded Rs. 800 million.   

Several dams across the river would be built under the proposed project to contain water in the upper regions and to release it systematically preventing floods in the low lying areas.   
Ministers Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, State Minister Janaka Wakkumbura, Paliamentarians Gamini Waleboda, Muditha De Soysa, Thalatha Atukorala, Hesha Vithanage, Waruna Liyanage and Ratnapura District Secretary Malani Lokupothagama attended the meeting.     

• Much havoc had been caused by floods in 2017 and the damage to physical resources including residential houses, shops, roads and bridges