New reservoirs to feed thirsty land

by Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

Mahaweli Moragahakanda Dam construction

Construction of the Moragahakanda Dam

The Parakrama Samudra, Polonnaruwa

The government has embarked on a massive development program to alleviate poverty and uplift the living standards of people residing in the Maha-Oya area to be in par with those living at the Gal Oya valley, Girandurukotte and the Senanayake Samudraya.

The Irrigation Department has undertaken to build several reservoirs to provide water to farmers and to resettle displaced persons affected by the development work being carried out. The project is likely to be completed within the next few years.

The Director General of Irrigation, H. P. S. Somasiri in an exclusive interview with the “Sunday Observer.” said the Deduru-Oya, Rambukkan-Oya and the Kekiri-Obada irrigation projects are the three major reservoir projects to be completed so that water can be provided to farmers to irrigate their lands both during Yala and Maha seasons. He said the Kekiri-Obada reservoir project is almost near completion and the Deduru-Oya and the Rambukkan-Oya reservoir projects which will take another two years to be completed. The reservoir projects will be completed with local funding will address the burning issues faced by the farmer communities.

The Director of Irrigation, Dr. G. G. A. Godaliyadde said that a sum of Rs. 6,200 million has been allocated for the Deduru-Oya project. The Rambukkan Oya and Kekiri-Obada Oya reservoir projects too have been allocated a sum of Rs. 2,500 million and Rs. 445 million respectively.

Weheragala Reservoir

Meanwhile, the Weheragala reservoir project will be built across the Menik Ganga to store water and then to divert it through a feeder canal 23 kilo meters long across the Yala sanctuary to feed the Kirindiwela reservoir which experiences a shortage of water. With sufficient water the farmers will be able to cultivate crops both during Yala and Maha seasons. Due to shortage of water farmers in these regions are able to cultivate only during the Yala season. The Weheragala reservoir will have a capacity of 75 million cubic feet. The project expected to be completed during the next few years will cost at Rs. 2,900 million. Farmers in the Tissamaharama area face immense difficulties due to lack of water. Scarcity of water also affects families in the region.

Dr. Godaliyadde said local engineers, with manual labour and machinery are used to construct the Weheragala reservoir.

“We were able to provide employment to persons and also train them in skilled jobs like masons and carpenters. Persons who have been trained now work in other projects such as Rambukkan oya and elsewhere.”

Deduru-Oya Reservoir

A reservoir is to be constructed across Deduru Oya to feed the water shortage in the Mee Oya basin.

The water from the reservoir will be fed to the Inginimitiya reservoir located in the Puttlam district.

The reservoir with a capacity of 75 million cubic meters of water will be harnessed to cultivate 3,715 hectares of land. The project estimated to cost Rs. 6,200 million is expected to be completed in 2010. Local expertise such as labour and machinery is used in the project. However, due to shortage of water farmers in the Inginimitiya are able to cultivate only during the Maha season.

Dr. Godaliyadde said once when water is diverted to Inginimitiya reservoir on the right bank canal, it will be channelled elsewhere to irrigate another 1,000 hectares of land under the minor irrigation systems.

Another feature of the project is the Hydro power generation of 1.5 megawatts. Several people living in these area have been resettled in Radavi Bandi Ela below Inginimitiya reservoir owing to the construction work.

He said of the Rs. 2,500 million allocated to the project, a sum of Rs. 800 million has been spent for irrigation work alone.

The project is expected to be completed in 2010. Steps will be taken to re-settle 550 displaced families in the Radavi Bandi Ela in the Puttalma district.

At Elahera 60 families will be re-settled and at Madurakanchi 120 families will be re-settled. Compensation will also be paid to the resettled families.

Meanwhile, water from the additional canal situated on the left bank (42 kilometres long) will help irrigate 2,400 hectares of existing paddy lands and 600 hectares of new crops. In addition, the Magalle irrigation system will also be fed with water from this system. Dr. Godaliyadde emphasised that minor irrigation systems usually lack sufficient water.

Rambukkan-Oya Reservoir

He said the Irrigation Department will construct the Rambukkan Oya reservoir situated at Rambukkana in the Ampara district. The reservoir will have a capacity of 55 million cubic meters of water while the reservoir bund is 3,600 feet long. Water from the reservoir will be harnessed to irrigate 3,500 acres of land. The cost of the Rambukkan Oya project is estimated at Rs. 2,500 million. Of this amount a sum of Rs. 2,000 million will be spent on the irrigation network and the balance on construction work, he said. The Rambukkana Tank is an old abandoned tank believed to have been constructed during the reign of king Dutugemunu.

Dr. Godaliyadde said the Aadivasi community living at Pollebedde will be most benefitted from the Rambukkan Oya project. Aadivasis will have opportunities for extensive cultivation. At present they earn a meagre income from the Chena cultivation.

Another important aspect is that the Kurunduwilla -Mullegama road will be built to connect Maha Oya and Ampara townships. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 80 million rupees. A sum of Rs. 25 million has been allocated for the construction of a road network within the area. A sum of Rs. 30 million has also been allocated to set up a hospital.

A further sum of Rs. 20 million has been set apart for setting up of schools. Rs. 15 million on Livestock Development, Rs. 10 million on agriculture and Rs. 15 million on extension of Agrarian services will be spent. Electricity to the villages will be provided at a cost of Rs. 50 million.

Kekiri-Obda Reservoir

A reservoir with a capacity of 2.7 million Cubic Meters will be constructed at Kekiri-Obada in Walasmulla area. The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 445 million. The project is nearing completion.

The water from the reservoir will be released to 19 anicuts below extending up to Tangalle. The reservoir will also provide water for domestic consumption of residents in Tangalle, Beliatta, Kirama, and Walasmulla areas. Though the project was initiated with funds provided by the Japanese Bank of International Cooperation (JBIC), it is now being funded by the Sri Lanka Government. In addition around 330 re-settled families will be paid compensation.

Hulugal-Oya Reservoir

Meanwhile, the work at the Hulugal-Oya reservoir project in Kandy has commenced. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 400 million. Local funds will be utilised to construct the reservoir. Water from the reservoir will be supplied to the Morapola scheme that is experiencing a shortage of water. With the completion of the concrete dam, a road network will connect Nuwara-Eliya and Kandy districts. The construction of the new road will facilitate the schoolchildren in the district.

Yan-Oya Anicut

Meanwhile the Irrigation Department will build an anicut at Anuradapura across Yan-Oya at a cost of Rs. 300 million. The funding for the project will be borne by the Sri Lanka Government. Another reservoir will be built at Moneragalle at Siyambalanduwa across Vuvindu-Oya to irrigate 150 acres. The estimated cost of the Sugala Devi project is Rs. 119 million which is nearing completion. The other projects undertaken by the Irrigation Department include the Low Uva project at Moneragala. The cost of the project is estimated at Rs. 550 million. Under these project supply of water to minor irrigation works will play a major part while the inhabitants will also be provided with water.