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Sri Lanka’s Megapolis Ministry to widen a canal in Colombo in a bid to minimize flooding in the area

Sri Lanka’s Megapolis Ministry to widen a canal in Colombo in a bid to minimize flooding in the area

The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development of Sri Lanka is to launch a project with the country’s irrigation authorities to widen a canal and shift a flood gate in order to minimise flooding in the capital Colombo, reports state.
Most areas in Colombo went under water during heavy rains in recent years causing heavy economic damage.
The Ministry of Megapolis and Western Development is in charge of developing Colombo and its suburbs as a modern urban ‘Metropolis’.
Local media reports state that under the project, obstacles to the flow of the Kiththampahuwa canal near the Sedawatta – Ambathale road will be removed by rebuilding the flood gate closer to the outfall and strengthening the banks of the canal.
The project is reportedly being carried out with the support of the climate action committee of the Irrigation Department.
According to a statement by the Ministry, the Kolonnawa Canal Diversion Scheme has been identified as a major development activity under the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project, which is aimed at mitigating floods.
“Under this project, it is expected to widen the existing canals to improve the flow of storm water in the Colombo area during periods of low water levels in the Kelani River and also to make arrangements to mitigate the flood condition occurring in the Kolonnawa area during periods of high water level.”

OSL take:

The government of Sri Lanka paying extra attention to minimizing flood risks in the country’s commercial capital, Colombo during rainy seasons. Understanding the impact of floods on the economy, the government is engaged in several projects to address the issue and the widening of the canal and shifting the flood gates are one such programme. Since these projects are most often carried out with donor funding the availability of funds would encourage interested investors to take part in the projects while also providing modern solutions. On the other hand, addressing the flood issue in Colombo would remove any fear of adverse impacts on the economy.

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Article Code : VBS/AT/20180319/Z_3

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