Gin Ganga: Major flood risk in Baddegama
May 28, 2017 10:59 pm
Occupants of the Baddegama town and associated areas have been instructed to evacuate immediately due to increasing pressure on Gin Ganga’s Baddegama dam.
According to statistics issued by the Irrigation Department, the water level of Gin Ganga at Thawalama is at a normal level, whereas the level in Baddegama is at the major flood stage.
Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources, Vijith Vijayamuni de Zoysa stated that sandbags were being deposited to protect the dams of Gin Ganga.
Meanwhile, sources stated the old bridge in Baddegama had to be demolished due to extreme weather conditions.
The water level at Baddegama is reported to be steadily rising.
The reason for this is said to be the impact caused by the receding of water levels at the high points of Gin Ganga – Neluwa, Thawalama and Hiniduma.
Water is reportedly even seeping through the large barrier that stands to protect the town of Baddegama. Sand bags are currently being placed near the barrier as a safeguarding measure.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Vajira Abeywardena, and government engineers had arrived at the site to assess the situation, Ada Derana reporters stated.
Meanwhile, 73 officers of the Sri Lanka Navy are have been assigned to the task of removing waste trapped in the Wakwella Bridge in Baddegama, Galle.
Due to the floods, a large amount of waste matter and logs have reportedly been trapped underneath the Wakwella Bridge that conjoins the Poddala and Thelikada areas in Galle, obstructing the water drainage.
The Wakwella Bridge that joins the Galle and Baddegama main road is considered to be the longest bridge in the Southern province. It is also the main access point to the Galle main road in the event of a flood Baddegama and surrounding areas.
Meanwhile, reports revealed that boats were being transported to the flooded areas in Kalutara via aircrafts, in order to avoid the delays and obstacles of ground travel.
Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) sources confirm that this is the first time Sri Lanka has exercised the transfer of boats by air.
