Case Studies Expressways to Disaster by Tharuka Dissanaike Country papers Disaster -development linkages : Sri Lanka SRI LANKA
DROUGHT IN ARID ZONE
drought occurs as a result of monsoon failure or reduced precipitation. Two thirds of the country`s landmass belongs to the dry zone, prone to long dry spells and frequent drought. The major livelihood of this area is irrigated paddy cultivation and subsistence farming. Inability to store enough rainwater to last over the dry months means that many farmers have to make do with just one annual crop cycle.
Drought affects livelihoods of the farming community. Water security is eroded and some villagers find themselves having to travel almost 10 km in search of potable water. There is loss of production and declining incomes during drought.
The study was conducted in two villages, which are regularly affected by drought in the north-western and south-eastern arid zones of the country. In these areas the natural climatic conditions are harsh and evaporation exceeds precipitation leaving little water in normal sources (ground/ streams).
Both villages face severe water shortages for drinking and cultivation. Farmer coping methods were studied, and coping strategies identified. In anticipation of drought, farmers resort to mixed cropping to minimize production risks. Once drought occurs, the first protective steps are to restrict food intake and storing cereals like maize/ green gram using traditional methods. The intake of the staple, rice, is reduced by 70% as the drought advances.
Meanwhile villages use off-farm activities to supplement income. Men travel out of the village to find work. If drought persists, selling of family possessions is a next step. Jewelery and electronic items like radios are pawned for cash. Coping is always done through individual means. Collective measures are seldom
LANDSLIDES IN CENTRAL HILLS
growth and unsafe land use practices have increased the incidence of landslide damage in Sri Lanka. 30% of the population lives in 20% of the land, in a climatically wet and hilly area that encompasses seven districts in the wet-zone of the country. These people regularly face the threat of landslides.
The study was done involving two settlements in the Nawalapitiya Urban Council (NUC), in the central province of Sri Lanka. The sites were located in an area 2000m above sea level and prone to heavy rainfall in the region of 4000-5000mm annually.
Of the two communities, one had already had experience of a recent landslide and the other was threatened by an imminent landslide and rock fall danger.
Both communities, although differently placed in social and income levels, are heavily dependent on the activities of the town for their livelihood.
Constant fear of landslide and rockfall is a key element affecting the lives of these communities who see little option out of this situation. They silently observe the visible cracks on the walls of their homes and the exposed rocks on the steep slope above them. During heavy rainfall (which is a common occurrence) families in the neighborhood take turns to keep vigil. If a rock fall is heard, these groups would alert the others to run for safety. Children are put to sleep in far-end rooms, which are least likely to be hit by falling rocks. The coping strategy is simply to wait in fear, hoping that disaster will not strike
Landslides and Drought in Sri Lanka
This study aimed at addressing several aspects of disasters, arising out of different roles for men and women and their primary locations of activity. The researcher observed three basic areas in which gender differences can impact upon disaster situations. These are; in the anticipatory phase of a landslide or drought, the actual disaster and the response to the situation.
In the case of landslides, women who are generally home-bound, will be more likely to observe the warning signs and anticipate rockfalls more regularly than men who work out of home.
In the case of drought, it was observed from field surveys that different family members adopt various coping methods. A long-term drought, it is the capacity of the women that is stretched beyond limit in their quest to secure consumable water
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