By Ifham Nizam

“The present rains have arrived at a critical time for the CEB. Higher hydro generation means lower fuel imports, reduced thermal dispatch and major savings for the utility,” a senior Ceylon Electricity Board engineer told The Island, as heavy rainfall continued to swell major catchments and push several rivers towards flood-alert levels.

The latest rainfall is providing a welcome boost to the country’s hydropower resources, particularly in the Central Highlands, where some of the principal catchments feeding the Mahaweli, Kelani and other major hydro systems have received substantial rainfall.

At the same time, the rapid inflows are creating a delicate water-management situation, with several rivers already on alert for minor-floods and authorities closely monitoring downstream communities.

Norton, in the Ambagamuwa area, recorded 112.2 mm of rain during the 12 hours, ended at 6 a.m. yesterday, while Nawalapitiya recorded 101.2 mm.

Ginigathhena received 92.4 mm, Watawala 83.6 mm, Hunukalgala 80 mm and Bogawantalawa 77.8 mm. Numerous other locations in the Nuwara Eliya, Kandy and Kegalle catchments also recorded rainfall, exceeding 60 mm.

The heavy rainfall has translated into significant increases in river levels.

The Kalu Ganga system was among the areas under particular pressure, with the Kuda Ganga, at Millakanda, rising beyond its minor-flood threshold. Alert-level conditions were also reported at Ratnapura and Magura on the Kalu Ganga.

The Kelani Ganga was also being closely monitored, with elevated levels at Hanwella and Glencorse, while the Gin Ganga and Nilwala Ganga systems recorded alert conditions at several monitoring stations.

The Irrigation Department has also warned communities along the Mahaweli Ganga to remain vigilant following heavy rainfall in its upper catchments. Five spill gates of the Polgolla Mahaweli Reservoir had been opened, releasing around 21,000 cubic feet of water per second towards the Victoria Reservoir, according to Executive Engineer Thisara Bandara.

The latest DMC situation report shows that the country’s adverse-weather situation is already affecting 16 districts and 66 Divisional Secretariat areas, with 1,138 families comprising 5,074 people affected.

For the power sector, however, the continuing rainfall has a distinctly positive dimension.

Hydropower accounted for 35.5% of Sri Lanka’s national electricity generation in 2025, remaining the country’s largest single generation source that year.

Energy Minister Anura Karunathilaka told Parliament that the reservoirs had sufficient water to generate around 750 GWh, representing 58.7% of available reservoir generation capacity as at September 10.

With the latest rainfall concentrated over the upper catchments, the potential for further replenishment is significant.

The senior CEB electrical engineer said higher reservoir storage would allow the utility to maximise hydroelectric generation while reducing its dependence on expensive thermal power.

“Hydro generation costs are minimal compared to thermal generation. Once reservoirs fill up, we can considerably reduce expensive oil-based thermal generation,” the engineer said.

The significance of the catchments extends beyond electricity generation. The same rainfall that replenishes reservoirs also feeds rivers, irrigation systems and drinking-water sources, while excessive inflows can create downstream flooding.

The Irrigation Department reported that two spill gates at the Laxapana Reservoir had been opened by 12 inches each by 6 a.m. yesterday.

The latest figures, therefore, present a mixed water picture: the upper catchments are receiving substantial recharge and improving the hydropower outlook, while downstream river levels are rising in several basins.

Disaster Management Director Pradeep Kodippili said disaster-management authorities were maintaining readiness as rainfall continued, with response arrangements being kept in place for possible flooding and other weather-related emergencies.

The continuing rain is particularly important because the Meteorological Department expects further showers, with heavy falls of around 100 mm possible in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-Western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.

Authorities are, therefore, keeping a close watch on the catchments, reservoirs and river gauges.

For the electricity sector, every additional inflow into the major hydro reservoirs represents an opportunity to increase low-cost renewable generation. But for communities downstream, the same water can become a threat if catchment rainfall continues at high intensity.

Students from Grades 1 to 6 received their certificates from Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya after being recognised as child environmentalists at the National Science Foundation (NSF) Annual Awards held recently at the BMICH.Conducted since 2002 under the patronage of the Ministry of Science and Technology, the NSF Awards recognise students who have excelled in competitions organised by the NSF, as well as teachers, scientists and media professionals for their contributions.

More than 409 kg of Kendu leaves, abandoned on the Kudamaduwella beach were taken into custody during a special operation conducted by the Coast Guard, together with the Sri Lanka Navy, in the ‘Thoduwawa’ area, on Monday (21).

It is suspected the kendu leaves were abandoned on the beach by smugglers due to the operation that was underway.

The gross street value of Kendu leaves taken into custody in this operation is believed to be over Rs. 2.8 million.

The stock of Kendu leaves was handed over to the Thoduwawa Police for further investigation and legal proceedings.