News

Victoria Power Plant can generate electricity only for 30 more days

Published

1 month ago

August 11, 2023

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If the Victoria Hydropower Plant is used at its maximum capacity to generate electricity, its capacity will only last for 30 days, media reported.

The maximum water level of the Victoria Reservoir is 438 meters above sea level.

However, the water capacity of the reservoir has decreased and the maximum water level is currently at 409.7 meters above sea level.

The reservoir can generate electricity only when the maximum water level is above 380 meters above sea level.

When there is maximum water capacity, between 06 and 08 gigawatt hours of electricity can be produced and between 13 and 14 million cubic meters of water is released from the reservoir.

Though the water was released to produce electricity with a capacity of less than 01 gigawatt hours in the recent past, 6.5 million cubic meters of water will be released from the reservoir for the production of 2.5 gigawatt hours of electricity from yesterday (09) due to the breakdown of one of the generators in the Norochcholai Power Plant.

News

Number of rabies deaths on the rise

Published

3 hours ago

September 21, 2023

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The Ministry of Health said that the number of people who have died from rabies has increased in the last few years.

Dr. Heshan Guruge, medical officer of the Anti-Rabies Division, said that the lack of knowledge about rabies as well as the bites of animals other than dogs have led to the increase in these deaths.

Dr. Guruge expressed these views while attending a discussion held yesterday (20) at the Health Promotion Bureau in conjunction with the World Rabies Day on September 28.

“When studying the human deaths that happened in the last few years due to rabies, we can see that a number of animals other than dogs have bit them. In some cases, it is not even possible to know who the animal is. Several people who had passed out after being drunk had been bitten by some animal. After a few days, the symptoms of rabies develop. Several such incidents were reported in the last two or three years. Proper first aid should be given in case of any animal bite. Wash the wound with soap and water. If you have alcohol at home, an iodine solution like betadine, surgical spirit, or an antiseptic liquid like hydrogen peroxide, you can use it. Then go to a hospital. If we do this, we can eliminate rabies from Sri Lanka,” he said.

Don’t get closer to new pets for two weeks

Meanwhile, Dr. Athula Liyanapathirana, community specialist of the Epidemiology Unit, said that 12 people have died due to rabies in 2023 so far.

He said that there is a risk of contracting rabies from the bites of all mammals.

The Anti-rabies Unit said that 25 to 30 people die from rabies every year.

The Epidemiology Unit requested the people not to get closer to pets such as dogs and cats for 14 days after bringing them home.

Arrangements should be made to vaccine the dogs against rabies before a period of four weeks has passed.

When bitten by a dog, the area should be washed and cleaned with soap for ten minutes, and after that it is important to seek medical treatment immediately.