Weras Ganga Basin:

Project to minimise flood damage

by Ananda KANNANGARA

Nawala canal

Kirulapona canal

The damage caused by floods and the destruction of the living conditions of people in the Colombo Metropolitan Region (CMR) will soon be minimised to a great extent by the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation (SLLRDC) with the implementation of the storm water drainage project in the Weras Ganga Basin.

The six-year project which costs over Rs. 9,000 million is handled by the SLLRDC on the directive of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and former Urban Development Minister Dinesh Gunawardana.

According to a survey conducted by the SLLRDC, the total catchment area of the Weras Ganga Basin storm water drainage project is 830 kms. The study area of the drainage basin is divided into three divisions, the Kala Oya, Greater Colombo and Bolgoda Basin.

SLLRDC Chairman Karunasena Hettiarachchi told the Sunday Observer that the aim of this project is to minimise the damage caused by floods in the Weras Ganga Basin.

The Basin is spread across the territory of the Dehiwala-Mt. Lavinia Municipal Council (MC), the Moratuwa MC, Kotte MC, Maharagama Urban Council and Kesbewa Pradeshiya Sabha areas.

Accordingly, the results of this project will benefit residents in the Bellanwila, Attidiya, Delkanda, Katubedda, Nugegoda, Rattanapitiya, Boralesgamuwa, Bolgoda, Bokundara, Dehiwala, Madiwela, Mutwal, Ratmalana, Moratuwa and the surrounding areas.

Poverty reduction

Attidiya marsh

He said the improvement of the storm water drainage system will not only help minimise the damage caused by floods to land and other properties, but also help reduce the level of poverty of thousands of people affected by floods following the slightest rain.

He said the project will also help stop the flooding of major and minor roads, since some roads are closed for traffic for days following floods, badly affecting schoolchildren, office workers, farmers and traders.

According to records, the Weras Ganga Basin Project was launched in 2003 with the assistance of the Japanese International Coorporation Association (JICA). Currently the project is funded by China.

The SLLRDC Chairman said the storm water drainage plan is essential to conserve the existing water surface areas and surrounding lowlands from the viewpoint of storm water retention as well as environmental protection in the affected areas.

Channel improvement

According to reports the Weras Ganga Basin requires channel improvement of the main stream and major tributaries to cope with the runoff increase due to urbanisation and mitigation of flood damage in the Basin. Therefore, the storm water drainage plan for the Bolgoda Basin is formulated focusing on the storm water drainage plan for the Weras Ganga Basin.

Quoting statistics, SLLRDC Additional General Manager P.P. Ghnanapala said the storm water drainage project in the Weras Ganga Basin is essential considering the massive loss of over Rs. 300 million from property, human and animal damage every year. He said the project will also improve the water quality of the canals that receive storm water from urban areas.

He said the quality of water creates a hygienic environment in the side areas for the healthy life of people and also ensure a dignified outlook for the city.