The Irrigation Department has warned people living downstream of reservoirs and waterways to stay alert after two reservoirs in the Badulla district began spilling.
According to the department’s Water Management Division, the Ambewela Reservoir in the Badulla division reached spilling level as of 12.30 p.m. on Friday, with two spill outlets opened and water being released into the Mahaweli Ganga.
The Bomuruella medium reservoir, also in the Badulla division, is likewise spilling, with three spill outlets opened.
Advice to downstream users
The department urged residents and users of downstream areas to monitor changes in river water levels closely and to follow instructions issued by the Irrigation Department and local authorities on reservoir spilling and gate openings.
Spill releases raise river levels quickly and with little warning, and the department’s advisories typically cover people farming, fishing or bathing along affected waterways as well as those living on low ground.
Storage still below 40%
Despite the spills, overall storage in the major reservoirs managed by the Irrigation Department stands at 38.7 per cent, with 1,150,032 acre-feet of water held across 73 reservoirs.
The two Badulla reservoirs sit in the wet upcountry catchment, which has taken the heaviest rainfall of the current spell. Several districts have been under heavy rain, strong wind and landslide advisories through the week.
