Abstract:
A pilot study was conducted in Devinuwara area Southern Sri Lanka which
underwent the Tsunami tragedy in December 2004. The objective of the study was
to identify the inundated locations and the magnitude of the damage caused by the
2004 Tsunami wave, to project vulnerable areas in case of a future disaster of the
same magnitude or more, and to locate safer areas for the establishment of the
evacuation sites. A field survey was conducted through a structured questioner to
collect the data on Tsunami impact in the area. GPS coordinates were collected to
locate them on a digital elevation map. Levels of the submergence due to 2004
tsunami in the inundated areas were demarcated using GIS techniques. In the
investigated areas, the flooded area was demarcated as 86,011 sq meters and the
average distance covered by the wave inside the land as 90 meters with a maximum
of 530m. The appropriate evacuation sites were identified in the outer skirt of the
Tsunami hazard zone, considering the factors of road accessibility, availability of
common places, such as temples, schools in coordination with the disaster
management center and other stake holder institutions.
Accordingly Wawwa temple and Galgane Temple were identified as primary and the
Principal evacuation sites respectively. Principle evacuation site was identified after
considering the factors such as elevation of the site, accessibility through roads and
air, sufficient shelter and space, availability of clean water resources, uninterrupted
communication facilities in case of severe damages to the systems etc to meet the
needs of a large crowd.
