A total of 135 individuals from 44 families in the villages of Senanayakepura, Samapura, and Suduwella in Ampara continue to remain in temporary shelters due to the risk of the Gal Oya River bunds breaching.

The prevailing rainy weather has raised the water levels of the Senanayake Samudraya in Ampara, bringing it closer to its overflow level. It was reported that if the reservoir, which has a maximum capacity of 770,000 acre-feet of water, reaches its maximum limit of 110 feet, it will begin overflowing. 

As of yesterday morning (15), the water level of the reservoir stood at 103 feet. In response, the authorities have taken precautionary measures by slightly opening two spill gates to manage the increasing water levels. However, concerns remain high, as continued heavy rains may necessitate the full opening of the spill gates, significantly increasing the Gal Oya’s water flow. 

The riverbanks in the Suduwella and Kotawehera areas have already experienced severe erosion, heightening fears of potential breaches. Hence, the individuals and families in question have been evacuated to safer locations, according to the Ampara District Secretary (DS). 

“The banks of the Gal Oya River in the Senanayakepura area have eroded. There is no possibility of temporarily repairing it by placing sandbags. Currently, there is only a risk of it breaching; it has not breached as of yet,” the DS stated. 

He further cautioned: “If it breaks, a number of families living in the Suduwella area of the Senanayakepura and Samapura Grama Niladhari Divisions under the Ampara Divisional Secretariat Division may face a flood situation. To address this, we have established a camp in the area on Tuesday evening (14) to accommodate about 40 families, consisting of approximately 110 individuals.”