Due to the heavy rainfall currently experienced in the Northern Province, 21 tanks out of the 54 major and medium-scale irrigation schemes under the jurisdiction of the Northern Province Department of Irrigation were at spill level as of 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, 27 November 2025, stated Eng. T. Rajagobu, Director of the Provincial Department of Irrigation – Northern Province .
According to the report issued by the Northern Province Department of Irrigation, the water level details of the tanks are as follows:
– Tanks at spill level: 21
– Tanks with 75%–100% capacity: 07
– Tanks with 50%–74% capacity: 07
– Tanks with 25%–49% capacity: 12
– Tanks with less than 25% capacity: 05
Meanwhile, the province’s major reservoirs show the following levels:
– Iranamadu Tank: 37.13% capacity
– Vavunikulam: 42% capacity
– Muthuiyankaddukulam: 48% capacity
Although rainfall has been recorded in many parts of the Northern Province, the highest rainfall of 163 mm was recorded in the Vavuniya area from 7:00 a.m. today. In the last 24 hours, Vavuniya District recorded 172 mm of rainfall, Semamadu 58 mm, and Thannimurippu in Mullaitivu 101 mm.
Due to this heavy rainfall, the water level in the Pampaimadu Reservoir in Vavuniya District rose suddenly. Although the high-water level (maximum spill level) was 16 inches, the current heavy rain caused it to spill at 25 inches. To reduce the risk of the tank breaching and to ensure its safety, a portion of the bund of the spillway was opened, and safety measures were implemented.
Furthermore, in Vavuniya District:
– Aliyamaruthamadu Tank is spilling at 10 inches
– Kalmadu Tank is spilling at 1 foot
– The spill gates of Thannimurippu Tank in Mullaitivu have been opened.
The Provincial Director of Irrigation further stated that the department’s engineers, technical officers, and officials are continuously engaged in monitoring activities to ensure the safety of the irrigation schemes.
