Identification of the Adaptation Strategies to Mitigate Flash Flood Risk in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Flash floods pose a global threat due to their destructive nature, particularly in densely populated urban areas, causing substantial economic loss. As a developing country, urban areas in Sri Lanka also face this issue frequently.  The study investigates the consequences of sudden flash floods in a vulnerable region as the case study area within the Waligampitiya  Grama Niladari Division (GND) in the Ja-Ela District. This study aims to identify the adaptation strategies to mitigate the impact of flash floods in Sri Lanka. The methodology involves conducting interviews with government officers in the Ja-Ela division and the District Disaster Management Centre, extracting data from situation reports, reviewing data, site observations, photographic survey, analyzing rainfall data from the Department of Meteorology Sri Lanka and land use data from Survey Department and Municipal Council. Interviews identified flash flood risk and management techniques, providing a comprehensive analysis for effective strategies and plans to address the identified issue. Then the final objective of the study entails proposing suggestions, which will be achieved by reviewing strategic plans, the relevant literature on best practices, and the analysis of adopted strategies from developed and developing countries. The strategies to be employed in Ja-Ela to mitigate flash flood damage involved real-time flood mapping and notification systems, awareness and preparedness activities, and stakeholder engagement. This study presents effective flash flood mitigation options for implementation in Ja-Ela, which can serve as significant insights for any other flood mitigation project of a similar nature.