Sri Lanka : a country profile

The problem is most severe in the southwest quadrant (Wet Zone), where the island"s agriculture, industry, and population are concentrated. This report assesses the impact of flooding and other disasters, as well as Sri Lanka"s ability to withstand them. After a brief overview of the country"s customs, economy, and politics, major hazards are identified. According to the report, Sri Lanka"s vulnerability to flooding is exacerbated by shifting sand bars and lagoons along the coast which restrict river discharge into the sea. Widespread deforestation also compounds the flooding problem, since it leads to river bank erosion and loss of watersheds. Flooding in the Dry Zone (eastern and northern areas) is limited to the wet season and attributed primarily to the poor water retention capability of the soil. Deforestation and erosion have also increased the country"s vulnerability to droughts, which occur every three to four years and are usually confined to the Dry Zone. Additional disaster threats are identified as cyclones (infrequent), civil strife between the Buddhist Sinhalese and the Hindu Tamil minority, and epidemics, of which malaria has been the most serious. Final sections evaluate Sri Lanka"s disaster preparedness, covering host country policy, institutions, warning systems, and resources (i.e., food, medical care, shelter, communications, and transportation), as well as A.I.D., international, and U.S. voluntary agency contributions.