Navy divers recover Irrigation Dept equipment washed by floods

An Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) device was successfully recovered from beneath the Hanwella bridge on June 4, by Navy divers conducting a successful salvage mission.

This apparatus valued at Rs. 30 million, which belonged to the Department of Irrigation and was washed away by the rushing Kelani River during a period of intense rain.

The device has eventually got trapped in thick bamboo stalks and river debris leading to its separation from the primary unit.

Amidst this context, the Irrigation Department has asked the Navy Headquarters for aid, requesting Navy diving support in order to locate and recover the misplaced GPS device.

Promptly responding to the pressing request, the Navy sent a team Tuesday (4) morning from the Western Command Clearance Diving & Salvage Unit to the Hanwella area.

The ADCP, which is also referred to as the “River Ray,” is a tool used to gauge the direction and speed of currents in the water column.