Several reservoirs open sluice gates, NBRO issues alert

COLOMBO (News 1st) : The sluice gates of the Laxapana, Canyon, Maussakelle and Wimalasurendra reservoirs have been opened due to heavy rains in the area. Nuwara Eliya District Assistant Director of Disaster Management Ranjith Alahakoon said that residents of the areas near the above reservoirs should be vigilant. Several low lying areas in the Ambagamuwa Divisional Secretariat have also been inundated with rains, Alahakoon said. He further stated that steps have been taken to provide relief to the affected persons in the area. Meanwhile, five sluice gates of the Polgolla Reservoir were opened this afternoon (12) due to heavy rains in the central hills. Athula Pushpakumara, the engineer in charge of the reservoir said that residents near the Mahaweli River must remain vigilant. Moreover, a landslide warning has been issued for Kandy, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura Districts due to heavy rains, by the National Building Research Organization.