COLOMBO (News 1st); The Polgolla Reservoir is scheduled to be emptied for essential maintenance from September 28 to September 30, according to the Polgolla Mahaweli Dam Engineering Office.
The reservoir will be emptied starting from 1:00 AM on Saturday, September 28, until 6:00 PM on Monday, September 30.
This maintenance is crucial to ensure the continued safe operation of the dam.
During this period, residents living upstream and downstream of the Polgolla Reservoir are advised to avoid using the Mahaweli River.
The Engineering Office has requested the public to refrain from utilizing the river water during the maintenance period.
Engineer D.M. Dharmadasa, in charge of the Polgolla Reservoir, stated, "From midnight on September 27 to 6:00 PM on September 29, water supply activities will be disrupted.
Therefore, the general public is advised to avoid using the river water and to adopt water-saving measures. Industries should also implement alternative methods to store water."
The Water Supply and Drainage Board has announced that water supply to several areas will be interrupted during the maintenance period. The affected areas include Harispattuwa, Pahatha Dumbara, Akurana, Galagedara, Jujapitiya, Menikhinna, Haragama, Ampitiya, and Mawathagama.
The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has assured that there will be no power outages due to the maintenance work. Although power generation at the Ukuwela Power Station will be halted from the night of September 27, the CEB will meet the demand through other power plants.
Residents and businesses in the affected areas are urged to take necessary precautions and make arrangements to manage their water needs during this period.