According to observations made at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday (30 November 2025), out of the 54 irrigation schemes falling under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Department of Irrigation – Northern Province, 51 tanks are currently overflowing (spilling). However, the Department of Irrigation has stated that the volume of water spilling from these tanks has significantly reduced.
According to the statement issued by Provincial Director of Irrigation, Engineer T. Rajagobu, the current irrigation situation in the province is as follows:
Status of Iranamadu Tank:
The water level of Iranaimadu Tank, which stood at 40 feet 3 inches at noon on Saturday (29.11.2025), has dropped to 37 feet by 5:00 p.m. today. Inflow to the tank has decreased to 0.794 million cubic metres per hour, and the radial gates are being gradually closed, with the outflow also restricted to the same level.
Damage Details:
In Mannar District, both Velimuruthamadu Tank and Kooraikkulam have breached. The breach in Vellimuruthamadu Tank was caused by a large volume of spill water coming from the upstream Periyamadu Tank. Meanwhile, Kooraikkulam breached due to flooding in the Parangi Aru river.
Due to heavy rainfall and overflowing, spillway bunds have breached at the following tanks: Pampaimadu, Vavuniya Tank, and Mahakachchakodiya Tank in Vavuniya District; Muthuiyankaddu Tank in Mullaitivu District; and Iranamadu Tank in Kilinochchi District. Although the radial gates of Muthuiyankaddu Tank have been closed, significant damage has occurred along the spillway.
Safety Measures:
As a precautionary measure to prevent complete breaches of the tanks, the tail-end bunds of the following tanks are being deliberately cut to lesser water levels:
• Kalamadu, Periyathampanai, Aliyamaruthamadu, and Kanagarayankulam in Vavuniya District;
• Periyamadu in Mannar District;
• Pulithiyaru in Kilinochchi District; and
• Vavunikulam, Udayarkaddu, and Thaddayarmalaikulam in Mullaitivu District.
At present, rainfall has greatly reduced, and irrigation engineers have gone to the field and are carrying out repair and safety measures, the Director of Irrigation noted in the statement.
