Abstract:
Flood is the most affecting natural disaster in Sri Lanka among the natural
effects of seasonality. Therefore, in the face of the rapid urbanization in Sri
Lanka, floods can be identified as a major disaster situation. The main
objective of this study was to identify the urban land use pattern for flood
effect. Akurana town which is located in Akurana divisional secretary division
in Kandy district is the area which was selected as the study area of this
case.Piga Oya, one of the main branches of the Mahaweli river flows through
the Akurana town. Because of the river overflows several times per year, the
day to day activities and economical activities of people who lives in Akurana
urban area are collapsed in those periods. And also it stops completely the
transportation in A9 road at that period. So Akurana, Waragashinna, and
Kurudugahaela areas also should include as affected areas. Collected data
using 30 residences and businesses in these four Grama Niladari Divisions as
samples by giving questionnaires using random samples method. Interviews
have done with Grama Niladhari and disaster management officers. Secondary
sources ware books, magazines, newspapers, annual reports related to this case
and the internet to collect data. These data were then revised, coded, and sorted.
Then analyzed and mapped in quantitative and qualitative methodology to detailed
and simple statistical methods. Microsoft Office Excel, Geographic Information
System was used. The main finding of this research was exposure to the soil and
erosion of the soil due to constructions of both sides of the area, erosion of
river banks due to irregular land use, clearing of forests in upper mountain
areas and reclamation of banks of Piga oya, irregular construction of bridges,
releasing the garbage to the river are the reasons for block of the river.
Basically, because of the variabilities of urban land use, this situation has
improved. So when the overflowing the river with the rain the Akurana town
is flooding about 5-8 feet. The Muslim people who live in this area are don’t
follow any rule imposed by the government. Therefore, irregular land uses are
high in this area.
