Water levels at Castlereagh, Maussakelle and Kotmale reservoirs have fallen, power generation at risk

2026-03-29 - 05:04

Engineers in charge of the reservoirs state that the prevailing dry weather conditions in the catchment areas located on the western slopes of the Central Hills have led to a rapid decline in water levels in the main reservoirs, posing a risk of disruptions to electricity generation. According to reports obtained from the Ceylon Electricity Board at 6:00 a.m. today (29), the water level of the Castlereagh Reservoir has dropped by 40 feet 10 inches from its spill level, while the Maussakelle Reservoir has fallen by 26 feet 11 inches, the reservoir engineers said. Meanwhile, the water level of the Upper Kotmale Reservoir has also declined. In addition, the reduced water flow cascading down St. Clair’s and Devon waterfalls has diminished their scenic beauty.