3:30 PM - 3:45 PM
[HGG01-01] Disaster Adaptive Strategy in a Flood-Prone area in Sri Lanka: A Case Study of Response and Recovery of Hard Rain and Flood Disaster
Keywords:Sri Lanka, Hard Rain and Flood Disaster, Adaptive Strategy
The purpose of this study is to identify the actual situation and challenges of flood response and recovery in Ratnapura city, Sabaragamuwa Province through the case of May 1913 and May 2017 flood disaster, focusing on hard rains and floods in southwestern Sri Lanka. Through these cases, the paper describes the socio-economic and disaster prevention system in Sri Lanka in both years, and suggest disaster adaptation strategies for future disaster prevention and mitigation.
Based on the field survey, in the case of 2017, the author revealed that the response and recovery were based on religious places and local and kinship relations. While in the case of 1913, it was revealed that the response and recovery were based on institutions, multiple actors, local relations, and natural resources under the colonial era by analyzing the municipal official document. On the other hand, in the 2017 case, it was found that 1)the timing of evacuation was difficult, 2)the economic burden was chronic, and 3)there were problems in the integration and communication of information between central and local. In contrast, in the 1913 case, it was revealed that 1)material resources were scarce, 2)control by local officials was weak, and security was unstable due to rumors and looting.
From these findings, it can be concluded that the utilization of diverse local communities and resources and the enhancement of local relationships are necessary for disaster adaptation strategies in disaster prevention policies.
Based on the field survey, in the case of 2017, the author revealed that the response and recovery were based on religious places and local and kinship relations. While in the case of 1913, it was revealed that the response and recovery were based on institutions, multiple actors, local relations, and natural resources under the colonial era by analyzing the municipal official document. On the other hand, in the 2017 case, it was found that 1)the timing of evacuation was difficult, 2)the economic burden was chronic, and 3)there were problems in the integration and communication of information between central and local. In contrast, in the 1913 case, it was revealed that 1)material resources were scarce, 2)control by local officials was weak, and security was unstable due to rumors and looting.
From these findings, it can be concluded that the utilization of diverse local communities and resources and the enhancement of local relationships are necessary for disaster adaptation strategies in disaster prevention policies.