Disaster Management and Spatial Data An Experience of Sri Lanka

(Provincial Surveyor General – Sri Lanka Survey Department) by Padma Kumara Withana (Provincial Surveyor General – Sri Lanka Survey Department) B.Sc ( Hons. Sri Lanka ) , Higher Dip in Surveying ( ISMD) P.G. Dip in IGP( The Netherlands ) , Training in Remote Sensing ( Italy ) Training in Cadastre Surveying ( Germany ) Provincial Surveyor General Uva Province

Out line Introduction Natural Disasters and Sri Lanka Need of Spatial Data in Natural Disaster Past Experience Challenges Potential Recommendation

Introduction – Location

Sri Lanka has a long coastline of 1660 km Low, mid & up country with a peak about 2300 m Major Crops 739,903 ha for Paddy cultivation (staple food) 45% - major irrigation 24% - minor irrigation 31% - rain-fed 188,971 ha Tea and 157,100 ha Rubber 103 river basins (20 in wet zone) 320 - dams in Sri Lanka 80 (large in size) 15,000 minor tanks

Man Made and man Induced Disaster Natural Man Made and man Induced Earthquake Flood & Cyclone Land Slides Droughts Tsunami Terrorism Home & Building Fires Accidents Structural Collapses

Disaster Geologically Sri Lanka is situated relatively in stable position on the Australian-Indian plate. Due to this the risk of occurring an earthquake is less and also earthquakes have been not recorded over 400 years.

Distribution of epicenters of earthquakes greater than magnitude 5 Distribution of epicenters of earthquakes greater than magnitude 5.0 in South East Asia and Indian Ocean

Disaster There is no evidence for volcanic eruptions in the past and there is no sign for it in the future too. So Sri Lanka is a natural hazard free country! Is it true?

Natural Disaster and Sri Lanka Sri Lanka is affected by different kinds of natural hazards such as floods, cyclones, droughts, landslides, coastal erosion and Tsunami

Natural Disaster and Sri Lanka Floods: Major floods are associated with the two monsoons. Most of tanks spill over during this period

Natural Disaster and Sri Lanka Floods: South west monsoon season (May-September) the western, southern, Sabragaumuwa provinces are vulnerable. North-east monsoons (December-February) the eastern, northern and north-central provinces are prone to flooding.

Natural Disaster and Sri Lanka Floods: Major floods recorded in the years of 1913, 1940, 1947, 1957, 1967, 1968, 1978, 1989, 1992, 2003 and 2011 with severe loss of human lives, properties and the environment

Natural Disaster and Sri Lanka Landslides: Excessive rainfall, typical landform and geology, deforestation and unplanned land use practices combine to create this natural disaster. The districts of Badulla Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Kalutara, Kandy and Matale are the most prone to landslides. In 2003, landslides in Matara,Galle and Hambantota districts caused massive damages to human settlements and the environment.

Natural Disaster and Sri Lanka Cyclones: The eastern and north-eastern parts of Sri Lanka are highly vulnerable to cyclones especially in the months of November and December. Some parts of north-central and north-western areas have also subject to occasional cyclone impacts in past decades. Major cyclones have been experienced in the years 1907, 1922, 1964, 1978, 2000 & 2011 (November)

Natural Disaster and Sri Lanka Tsunami: Sri Lanka was one of the countries most effected by 2004 Tsunami More than 30 000 dead, 1 million people affected and 70, 000 houses were completely damaged Geophysical experts have identified three possible earthquake locations in Indian Ocean, which could result future Tsunami in Sri Lanka

Rail Track after tsunami

All distroied but Load Dudhdha ?

People affected by different disaster in Sri Lanka Natural Disaster and Sri Lanka People affected by different disaster in Sri Lanka

Spatial Data in Natural Disaster In Natural Disaster Management decision makers have to find the answers for three questions such as Who affected? Where affected? And What affected? Spatial data with spaced based information technology will answers these questions

Past Experience in use of Spatial Data To identify vulnerable areas and to make precautions to people To identify affected areas with numbers of houses and buildings To indentify affected Tanks, roads and bridges To identify potential locations (school, public buildings, etc) which are appropriate for supporting for affected people To identify area where large numbers of refugees camp can be established based on the terrain condition

Past Experience in use of Spatial Data To determine how many tents will be needed in each refugee camp based on the locations of populations with spatial data To identify staging areas and incident command posts to provide logistical support for public safety personnel To identify safety supply route to have access to water and other resources necessary to support large numbers of people To identify land for resettlement of spatially displaced people To laid down the safety buffer zones

Past Experience – Tsunami Maps prepared after Tsunami

Past Experience – Tsunami Maps prepared after Tsunami

Past Experience – Flood Kaluganga

Past Experience – Landslides Sabragamuwa Province

Past Experience – Landslides Sabragamuwa Province

Challenges Faced Who is responsible for Spatial Data? Sri Lanka Survey Department? Incompatibility of data from different institution Lack of coordination among the institutions Non availability of timely updated data No common platform to receive spatial data

Potential Long professional experience of country’s national Mapping agency “Sri Lanka Survey Department” with huge spatial data Geomatic Education Institute of Surveying and Mapping, Diyatalawa under Survey Department Faculty of Geomatic, Sabragamuwa University of Sri Lanka Professional Institute; Surveyor Institute of Sri Lanka Human Resource; well trained and qualified people in the department

Recommendation The development of web-based system which facilitates sharing, accessing and use of spatial data in disaster management

Recommendation Space based technologies such satellite images, Global Positioning System(GPS) and satellite communication should be incorporated with disaster risk reduction in real time

Recommendation Geomatic professional people should be upgraded and admired to use new technology in disaster management with spatial data Researches should be carried in relevant context which exposed to international level

Mr. Mohomad Rafeek ( B.Sc ) My Special Thanks To Dr. Eunhyeuk Kim , KARI , & Mr. Mohomad Rafeek ( B.Sc ) Supdt. Of Surveys

Thank You