OCCURRENCES OF FLOOD HAZARDS IN THE NORTHERN PROVINCE OF SRI LANKA

Abstract

According to the report of the disaster management center, during the last forty years from 1974 to 2014, country faced flood impact several times (48.5%). Every year at least one of the areas of Sri Lanka faces flood impact due to heavy rainfall. Northern Province of Sri Lanka faces many challenges caused by flood frequently.  The main objective of this study is to analyze the spatial and seasonal pattern of the flood occurrences in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. Primary and secondary data were helped to conduct this study. Climatic data for thirteen stations of the Northern Province of Sri Lanka were obtained from the Department of Meteorology for the forty years period. To study the flood occurrences, rainfall data were analyzed using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the SPI results mapped using the ArcGIS 9.2 version. According to the SPI analysis, flood years identified are 1979,1984,1993,2004,2006,2008, 2011 and 2012. During the first inter monsoon season flood was identified in 1988,2001,2002 and 2006. During the second inter monsoon season flood was identified in 1977, 1979, 1981, 1993, 2004, 2005 and 2011.  Compared to other seasons North East Monsoon Season has the highest number of flood occurrences. During this season, flood was identified in 1983, 1984, 1993, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2011 and 2012. During the North East Monsoon Season of 1984, extreme flood identified, in all stations of the Northern province of Sri Lanka, and the SPI index of all stations indicated it by scale above 2.00. South West Monsoon Season has the lowest number of flood occurrences and its severity is also low. Spatially, maximum number of flood was identified in kanukerny, Iranaimadu and Pavatkulam.