Clean water for Jaffna

Anura MAITIPE

The Jaffna reawakening project has taken the initiative to rehabilitate the Valukkaiaru scheme at Rs. 268 million to provide clean drinking water for people in Jaffna.

Valukkaiaru is in the centre of Jaffna peninsula and it is a natural water purification plant.

This lagoon spreads over 14.5Km from Araly barrage to Tellipalai and it covers an area of 57 sq km in the Tellipalai, Ubuvil, Sandilipay and Chankanai divisions. The main drainage cannal, barrage and regulators at Valukkaiaru have been badly damaged due to lack of maintenance for a long period. This has resulted following the conflict in the area over the past two decades. Water sources of Valukkiaru have become salty due to seawater intrusion.

Acting Director Provincial Irrigation N. Suthakarana said: "The development plan for Valukkaiaru scheme was originally initiated in 1948.

"The main aim of this plan is to drain out excess flood water to the sea during the rainy season and to prevent the flow of sea water into the lagoon.

Under the ongoing rehabilitation process of Valukkaiaru, we have constructed a dam to prevent the flow of sea water into paddy fields.

The clearing of channels and the construction of the araly barrage are also progressing," he said. With the completion of this project the quality of drinking water will improve and seepage of seawater into paddy fields will be prevented.

It will also provide irrigation facilities for 1,450 acres of paddy land in Jaffna peninsula. Over 4,950 families will be benefited out of this project, Suthakarana said.