(P1-5) How Does Land use Pattern could Effect to Mitigate the Risk Flash Floods” a Success Story on a Model Project Implementing at the Upper Catchments Area of Badullu River in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The watersheds are the home for our key natural resources and have been one of the basic elements in land use management systems throughout the hydraulic civilization of our country. “Badulla River” is one of the main watersheds in Sri Lanka extend about 1400sq.km consisting five sub catchments high steep lands. It mainly represents tea estates and agricultural lands with a weak land use pattern due to poor maintenance and unsuitable human involvements. This has contributed to reduce the rain water infiltration in to the soil increasing a huge amount of runoff water drainage. Situation has resulted frequent floods even in a small precipitation causing widespread damages to community. Hence, an initial project was started on surface water management, soil conservation and livelihoods development to control the frequent floods highlighting the urgent actions for an optimal land use management with support of field experts. Improved surface water drainage and soil conservation are the main options that might lead to mitigate the flash floods. Efforts were sharpened by integrating GIS Mapping for such initiation to enhance the effectiveness of the design. Results achieved could address many issues in relation to flood protection, habitat management, water protection and water quality management. Food risk generally related to the specific characters in a particular catchments and this model project proved that such issues can effectively be addressed through a joint program properly designed.