ANALYSIS ABOUT THE NATURAL DISASTER

OCCURRENCE IN SRI LANKA

R.M.C. Jeewanka

T.M.R.N. Thennakoon

Undergraduates

University of Ruhuna
abstract
Table of Contents
1. Introduction....................................................................................................................................1
2. Methodology..................................................................................................................................1
3. Analysis of significant data gathered from databases....................................................................2
3.1. 2013........................................................................................................................................2
3.2. 2014........................................................................................................................................5
3.3. 2015........................................................................................................................................9
3.4. 2016......................................................................................................................................11
3.5. 2017......................................................................................................................................14
3.6. 2018......................................................................................................................................16
3.7. 2019......................................................................................................................................19
Table of Figures

Figure 3.1.1:Frequency of Occurring disasters in 2013........................................................................3

Figure 3.1.2:Number of people affected in each province....................................................................4
Figure 3.1.3:Number of houses damaged according to each hazard.....................................................5
Figure 3.2.1:Occurence of disasters according to province..................................................................7
Figure 3.2.2:Frequency of disaster occurring.......................................................................................8
Figure 3.3.1:Total affected population in the tear 2015......................................................................10
Figure 3.3.2:Number of damaged houses...........................................................................................10
Figure 3.3.3:Affected population by province....................................................................................11
Figure 3.4.1:Number of deaths due to each hazard.............................................................................12
Figure 3.4.2:Affected population due to each hazard.........................................................................13
Figure 3.5.1:Number of Impacted houses...........................................................................................16
Figure 3.6.1:Total affected population in the year 2018.....................................................................17
Figure 3.6.2:Affected population by province....................................................................................18
Figure 3.6.3:Number of houses damaged...........................................................................................18
Figure 3.6.4:Casualities due to hazards...............................................................................................19
Figure 3.7.1:Total affected population in 2019...................................................................................20
Figure 3.7.2:Sum of causalities...........................................................................................................21
Figure 3.7.3:Number of houses damaged or destroyed.......................................................................22
Tables

Table 3.2.1:Number of houses damaged or destroyed.....................................................................................8

Table 3.4.1:Number of houses damaged or destroyed...................................................................................13
Table 3.5.1:Damages to properties and lives..................................................................................................15
1. Introduction
Sri Lanka has been experiencing a variety of natural disasters over centuries causing adverse effects
to the public and the economy. However, it is distinctively evident that during recent years, both the
occurrence and the severity of the impact of such disasters are increasing and very alarming than
ever. The rising trend of natural disasters is having a considerable and growing impact on the
development and economy of the country. Because of that, a major concern is required to avoid the
social, economic, and environmental effects due to these extreme events.
This paper analyzes the increment of the number of natural disasters and the intensity of the impact
during the past seven years. Annually, the rapid setting of some disasters has caused a significant
death toll and damages to the structures. Climate change and population growth mainly trigger the
severity of disasters. Since climate change is unavoidable, evaluating the trends of natural disasters
is so important for disaster mitigation.
Disaster Management Centre of Sri Lanka is currently maintaining disaster profiles annually to
supply some evaluated statistics and facts about disaster periods and areas of the occurrences over
the island. Most of the studies were carried out to investigate the disaster mitigation planning and
after-effects of tsunami 2004 whereas the present paper which we are conducting examines the
increment of the number of disaster events and their severity.
Finally, the main objective of the current study is to assess the information available in the
databases on natural disasters that occurred in Sri Lanka to analyze data for identifying the disaster
trends and risks in the future. Therefore, the requirement of the appropriate post-disaster recoveries
and disaster mitigation actions can be understood.

2. Methodology
The required data were collected from Disaster Management Center (DMC) and the Ministry of
Disaster Management in Sri Lanka (MDM). The database managed by the Disaster Management
center (www.DesInventar.lk) provides information on disaster affected losses since 1974 Island-
wide. The trends studied in this paper is from 2013 to 2019. Data analysis was made using statistical
software and simple descriptive methods. The data which were collected have been studied under
several topics such as trends in rates according to disasters, according to provinces, and annual
trends of occurring disasters.
As there are many methods of analyzing data, the main focus has been given to a qualitative survey
which indeed was a result of prevailing circumstances due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After
gathering the data, they were analyzed for an advantageous outcome.
3. Analysis of significant data gathered from databases
3.1. 2013
In the year 2013 Strong winds, Lightning and Heavy rains have been the major highlighted
disasters which caused many casualties with 86% of the overall deaths occurred due to natural
disasters. The South-western monsoon prevailing from May to September have been the major
cause for the casualties due to Strong winds, where major part of affected people was recorded
from Western province where a sum of 9026 with a percentage of 40.58. The second and third
highest numbers have been recorded from Southern and North-Central provinces respectively.
The total number of deaths occurred due to lightning have been recorded as 16, and they were
reported as one from Central province, two each from North-Western and Western provinces, 3
from Uva province and 4 each from North-Central and Southern Provinces. Also, the analyzed
data about time period of occurrence showed a strong resemblance with first Inter-monsoon
period and South-Western monsoon periods.
Considering about the casualties due to heavy rains the researchers were to identify that highest
number of people were affected from Eastern province within the Second Inter-monsoon period,
which was recorded as a 58.8% from the total affected population. Though this was the highest
affected population, it was able to observe that Central province had been enduring the heavy
rains for six months from June to December.
Most number of houses were damaged due to strong winds and they were mostly recorded from
Eastern, Western and Central provinces. Most number of houses destroyed was observed from
Western and Southern provinces. As an overall it was possible to observe that most of the houses
were damaged or destroyed due to strong winds and respectively, they were 6459 and 292.
As an overall situation the highest affected people were from Western province with a
percentage of 35.95 and Central and Southern provinces were in second and third places
respectively with calculated percentages of 26.75 and 24.98
 Frequency of occurring Disasters
4 1 1 13
1 ANIMAL ATTACK
9
BOAT CAPSIZE
32 Chemical
CUTTING FAILURE
6
DROWNING
8
FIRE
12 FLASH FLOOD
FLOOD
FOREST FIRE
161 HEAVY RAINS
LANDSLIDE
48 LIGHTNING
ROCK FALL
STRONG WIND
TORNADO
25 TREE FALLEN

16

Figure 3.1.1:Frequency of Occurring disasters in 2013

Figure 3.1.2:Number of people affected in each province
 Number of houses damaged according to each hazard
TREE FALLEN
TORNADO
STRONG WIND
ROCK FALL
LIGHTNING
LANDSLIDE
HEAVY RAINS
FOREST FIRE Total
FLOOD
FLASH FLOOD
FIRE
DROWNING
CUTTING FAILURE
Chemical
BOAT CAPSIZE
ANIMAL ATTACK
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000

Figure 3.1.3:Number of houses damaged according to each hazard

3.2. 2014
Year 2014 shows a significant increment of natural disasters in comparison to the previous year
(2013), nearly that is an increment of 236.1% which implies that is as almost as double the
number of cases recorded in the previous year, Moreover the total of affected people has been
increased in a larger percentage with a value of 9610.96% according to statistical data retrieved.
Thus, it is quite evident that the year 2014 has caused many casualties to the country.
According to statics droughts have been the major disaster which affected the greatest number of
people, with an approximation of 55.24% of the total impacted people. Drought have been
affecting only in the month of August which is indeed the Dry season of the country.
Furthermore, most people affected were in the Eastern province while Northern and North-
Central provinces rank in the next two places respectively according to the number of people
affected. Though nine cases were reported from Uva province, no one had been severely
affected by droughts in that province.
Gathered data implemented that the second highest number of people were affected by floods,
and the greatest number of deaths (35 deaths) were also reported due to floods. 5001 houses
were destroyed and 15279 houses were damaged by flood conditions according to the data
provided by MDM database which makes the floods the most drastic and destructive natural
disaster occurred in the year 2014. According to statics it was able to observe that floods has
caused most damages to Western and Eastern provinces. Within the Eastern province 3990
houses have been destroyed (79.78%) and 8273 houses have been damaged (54.15%) and 2
deaths have been reported within the South-Eastern and North-Western monsoon periods.
Western province on the other hand has suffered the greatest number of deaths with a count of
21 (60%) and the crisis was reported within June and December months during monsoon
periods.
Landslides have also caused many casualties in this year which is comparatively a larger
increment when contrasting to the previous year. 30 deaths have been reported due to landslides
within the country and 27 (90%) of them are reported from Uva province. The most tragic
landslide was reported in October at Koslanda-Meeriyabedda which caused 13 deaths, 24
missing people and destroyed 66 houses. Although Uva province suffered two severe landslides,
Central province had to prevail 6 months in land sliding precautionary conditions due to heavy
rainfall.
Hazards of lightning were mainly caused by the ignorance and carelessness of the general public
but the resulting conditions were still severe which ultimately caused 21 deaths ranking
Northern, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces in the first three ranks.
Strong wind conditions have also caused some severe disastrous conditions affecting 13907
people which is less than 1% of the total affected population due to natural disasters, but the
damages to properties are not to be taken lightly, have winds damaged 3648 houses (18.65%)
while destroying 206 of them (17.5%) and caused 2 deaths. Strong wind conditions have
affected Uva province the most because they have been continuously prevailing in the area from
April to December. 104 houses have been destroyed and 5947 people were affected by the wind
conditions. The month of July has been recorded as the month which caused most number of
casualties. Northern Province ranks second according to people affected by strong winds and
being in the upcountry central province have endured the losses due to winds ranking in the third
place. 1862 houses have been damaged in the Uva province and 591 and 449 houses have been
damaged in Northern and Central provinces respectively. Wind conditions had been prevailing
in the central province for 9 months and the collateral damage is significantly low which proves
the protection provided by the hills surrounding the Central province.
 Occurrence of disaters according to province Ampara
Anuradhapura
3% 4% Badulla
4%
5% Batticaloa
3%
Colombo
5% Galle
3%
Gampaha
2% Hambantota
4%
Jaffna
Kalutara
3% Kandy
10% Kegalle
3% Kilinochchi
Kurunegala
Mannar
3%
Matale
3% Matara
4% Moneragala
4% Mullaitivu
Nuwara Eliya
3%
Polonnaruwa
4%
Puttalam
2%
Ratnapura
3%
Trincomalee
2% 7% Vavuniya
(blank)
9% 6%
2%

Figure 3.2.4:Occurence of disasters according to province

 Frequency of disaster occurring
TREE FALLEN
SURGE
Subsidence
STRONG WIND
ROCK FALL
RETAINING WF
LIGHTNING
LANDSLIDE
HEAVY RAINS Total

FLOOD
FLASH FLOOD
FIRE
DROWNING
DROUGHT
CUTTING FAILURE
COASTLINE
ANIMAL ATTACK
ACCIDENT
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Figure 3.2.5:Frequency of disaster occurring

Table 3.2.1:Number of houses damaged or destroyed

Sum of Houses Sum of Houses Sum of

Months Destroyed Damaged Affected
Jan 203 367 8610
Feb 27 9 157
Mar 3 11 57
Apr 18 389 1696
May 14 140 663
Jun 322 1946 142545
Jul 151 2270 8018
Aug 14 354 1497570
Sep 58 468 1338
Oct 89 161 7254
Nov 2 1 173
Dec 4512 13445 1038653
Grand Total 5413 19561 2706734
3.3. 2015
In the year of 2015, the total affected people were recorded as 535749 and it is comparatively
lower than 2014 which is a decrement of cases by 79% subsequently the number of losses and
injuries has been reduced. As a result of the decrement of the occurrences of the hazards the
statistics show that the damaged and destroyed residences are declined reasonably.
The majority of people have been affected by droughts and floods in 2015. Nearly 48% of the
total affected people were suffered from droughts especially the people in Northern and Eastern
provinces which are situated in the dry zone of Sri Lanka during August and September.
Similarly, most of the districts in Northern province had to suffer from droughts but again there
is a minor difference compared to the year 2014. The other major disasters which occurred in Sri
Lanka from September to December are heavy floods, strong wind, and landslides while other
minor disasters can be ignored due to the negligible impact.
The highest number of casualties were reported due to drowning recording total cases of 38 with
36 deaths. Next, the second-highest number of losses were reported due to lightning.
Many areas of Sri Lanka were severely impacted mainly due to the above major disasters during
the Southwestern and Northeastern monsoons. Northern, Southern, and Eastern provinces rank
the highest population which were affected by multiple major disasters that occurred in 2015.
Furthermore, 685 were destroyed, and around residences were partially damaged. Northern
province records the highest number of damaged and destroyed houses due to floods which are
4761 and 288 houses respectively Northern province can be identified as the most affected
province due to the frequently occurred natural hazards in 2015.
However, in comparison, the number of total incidents with regards to natural hazards in Sri
Lanka which were reported in 2015 are considerably lower than in 2014.
 Total affected population -2015

ANIMAL ATTACK BOAT CAPSIZE

Chemical coastal erosion
LIGHTNING STRONG WIND Subsidence TORNADO ANIMAL ATTACK CUTTING DROUGHT
LANDSLIDE 6% 0% 1% 0% 0% FAILURE
COASTLINE 0% CUTTING FAILURE
0% 0%
DROUGHT DROWNING
Electrocution EXPLOSION
FIRE FLASH FLOOD
DROWNING
48% FLOOD HEAVY RAINS
HEAVY RAINS
44% LANDSLIDE LEAK OR SPILL
LIGHTNING ROCK FALL
STRONG WIND Subsidence
TIDAL WAVE TORNADO

FLOOD FLASH FLOOD FIRE EXPLOSION TREE FALLEN WALL COLLAPSE

0% 0% 0% 0%

Figure 3.3.6:Total affected population in the tear 2015

Number of Damaged houses -2015

TREE FALLEN
STRONG WIND
ROCK FALL
LIGHTNING
LANDSLIDE
HEAVY RAINS
FLOOD
FLASH FLOOD
FIRE
DROWNING
DROUGHT
CUTTING FAILURE
COASTLINE
ANIMAL ATTACK
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000

Figure 3.3.7:Number of damaged houses

 Affected population by Province- 2015
250000

200000

150000

100000

50000

0
l n l n n a n a rn
nt
ra
st
er tra er t er uw er Uv te
e n th es th es
Ce Ea -C
r am u
th No -W ag So W
r th ar
No No
r
ab
S

Figure 3.3.8:Affected population by province

3.4. 2016
There is a distinct increase in the population who were affected by the natural disasters Sri
Lanka in 2016 in comparison to 2015. From the studies, Landslides and cut slope failures can be
recognized as the most drastic hazards that occurred in 2016 causing 67 deaths and 117
disappearances. Low pressure which was originated at the Bay of Bengal and the severe storms
that hit on Sri Lanka on 15th May 2016 caused the heavy rain across the country causing severe
floods and frequent landslides. So that it can be observed, most of the incidents regard to severe
weather conditions were reported in the month of May with the impact of Southwest monsoon.
Whilst, 153681 people were endured by the droughts which are about 67% of total affected
people from natural disasters. Apart from droughts a significant amount of people of 29% of the
total were impacted by the floods. The western province ranks the highest population 477,947
that impacted by the natural hazards in 2016, which is 477,947 which is 31.5% of the entire
affected population.
However, most of the casualties, around 53% of the whole incidents were reported from
Sabaragamuwa province due to landslides and floods. According to the statistics, the death toll
was 74 with 117 missing and 38 injuries in Sabaragamuwa province. In comparison, in 2015
most of the losses were reported because of lightning, and in 2016 lightning and strong wind can
 be considered minor disasters due to the minimum impact. In addition, Western province ranks
the second-highest number of casualties following these disasters.
Significant damage to the residences was stated in the western province and Sabaragamuwa
province due to floods and landslides. In the above case, 2240 and 2214 houses were completely
damaged respectively. Yet, the total damage to the public and private properties are relatively
increased in 2016 than in 2015.

Number of deaths recorded due to each hazard

WALL COLLAPSE 0
TREE FALLEN 1
STRONG WIND 4
RETAINING WF 0
LIGHTNING 9
LANDSLIDE 67
HEAVY RAINS 0
GROUND VIBRATIO 0 Total
FLOOD 26
FIRE 4
Electrocution 1
DROWNING 13
DROUGHT 0
CUTTING FAILURE 9
coastal erosion 0
BOAT CAPSIZE 5
ANIMAL ATTACK 1
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Figure 3.4.9:Number of deaths due to each hazard

Table 3.4.2:Number of houses damaged or destroyed

Province Sum of Houses Destroyed Sum of Houses Damaged

Central 53 654
Eastern 13 72
North-Central 15 174
Northern 142 861
North-Western 44 369
Sabaragamuwa 323 2214
Southern 39 301
Uva 4 45
Western 158 2240
Grand Total 791 6930

Affected Population
1200000

1000000

800000

600000
Total

400000

200000

0
CK IZE ion E T G on IRE OD TIO INS IDE ING WF IND LEN PS E
TA PS ros L UR UGH NIN uti F O A A L L A
A T
CA al e F
I
A RO W troc FL IBR Y R NDS HTN ING G W FA LL
L O c V V A G N N E O
A AT st ING D
DR Ele A L LI TAI RO E C
IM BO coa T ND HE E T TR ALL
A N T OU R S W
CU GR

Figure 3.4.10:Affected population due to each hazard

3.5. 2017
In the year 2017 it can be seen a dramatic increment of the natural hazards compared to the year
2016. As an overall, 1035 disasters have been reported with an increment of 51.75%with respect
to the previous year and a total of 3707248 people have been affected in this year with an
increment of 144.92%. 356 deaths have been reported throughout the Island with 153 people
missing.
According to the statics provided by the database of Ministry of Disaster Management Droughts,
Floods, Landslides and Strong winds have been the major highlighted disasters in this year and
caused the most destruction to properties and lives of people.
666244 people have been affected due to flooding situations (17.97%) and 118 deaths have been
reported (33.15%) with a recorded total of 115 injured persons. Sum of 10379 houses or
residencies have been damaged due to floods while 1370 have been destroyed in this drastic
hazard. According to statistical data collected, the researchers were able to identify that Southern
province was mostly affected by floods in 2017, in the end of the first inter-monsoon periods and
in the beginning of the South-western monsoon period. The most destructive event which caused
26 deaths and affected 351967 people was recorded in 26 th of May 2017 in Kadduwa, Gingaga
and Holuwagoda areas. Floods also affected Western province in a very greater extent causing
67 deaths and affecting 230388 of the general public of the area. The very same date
(26/05/2017) affected Hettigeoya cultivated scheme in Western province in a very drastic way
causing all 67 deaths and destroying 340 houses.
Landslides ranks at the second as the natural disaster which caused most number of deaths. Sum
of 129949 people have been affected with 301 houses completely destroyed and 1308
residencies damaged. Statics shows that Sabaragamuwa has been affected hugely due to
landslides in contrast to other provinces. 94.61% of the total affected population were recorded
from Sabaragamuwa province. All of these landslides have been recorded in the month of May
when the heavy rains prevailed.
When considering about the number of residencies damaged Strong winds ranks at the first place
by affecting 128653 people with 13 deaths and injuring 83 persons, and also Strong winds can
be considered as the most frequently occurred hazardous event. Western province has been
affected mostly due to strong winds occurred during the South-Western monsoon period.
Southern province also has suffered due to strong winds up to a great extent throughout the
monsoon period.
As an overall, statics were able to show that Southern and Western provinces were the most
suffered provinces due to multiple disasters caused in the year 2017. Most frequently recorded
disaster was Strong winds and Droughts, though droughts did not cause much casualties, statics
shows that it has affected many people in various ways
Table 3.5.3:Damages to properties and lives

Sum of Sum of Houses Sum of Houses Sum of

Hazard Deaths Destroyed Damaged Affected
ANIMAL ATTACK 10 2 7 43
BOAT CAPSIZE 16 0 0 3
COASTAL EROSION 0 0 3 14
COLLAPSE OF
BUILDING 1 0 1 12
COLLAPSE OF
GARBAGE FILL 32 60 22 1782
COLLAPSE OF MINE 2 0 0 0
CUTTING FAILURE 6 24 254 7748
DROUGHT 0 0 0 2761073
DROWNING 40 0 0 39
FIRE 4 20 24 359
FLOOD 118 1370 10379 666244
FOREST FIRE 0 0 0 0
HEAVY RAINS 3 41 1567 10565
LANDSLIDE 96 301 1308 129949
LIGHTNING 14 2 40 265
ROCK FALL 0 0 7 24
STRONG WIND 13 855 33187 128653
TREE FALLEN 1 5 103 469
WALL COLLAPSE 0 0 1 6
Grand Total 356 2680 46903 3707248
 Number of Impacted houses
Western

Uva

Southern

Sabaragamuwa
Sum of Houses Damaged
Sum of Houses Destroyed
North-Western

Northern

North-Central

Eastern

Central

0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000

Figure 3.5.11:Number of Impacted houses

3.6. 2018
There is an obvious decrement of natural disasters and the total number of affected people in
2018 associated with the previous year 2017. Even though, there is a considerable growth of the
casualties which were reported in 2018 relative to 2017. The highest number of injuries and
deaths were reported in 2018 since 2013.
The annual southwest monsoon which started from the end of May highly caused the heavy rains
and floods around the island 452798 people in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Northern, Southern and
western provinces are severely affected by the flood in 2018. The majority of people were died
due to drowning which is a significant increase. 107 people died due to drowning and 9 were
injured. The highest percentage of 25.2 from whole casualties, 147 deaths, and 64 injuries were
reported from Western province due to floods, landslides, and accidents. Relatively, a large
number of people were killed by electric shock due to lightning.
Almost 65.44% of the total affected people had to experience droughts due to the dry weather
condition which continued across the island. The worst affected provinces from the droughts
were stated as Northern and North-Central and Northwest while reporting zero casualties. Yet
damages to the crops and cultivation lands are high especially in Northern province.
According to the gathered data, statistics illustrate that around 50% of the damaged houses are
due to floods. However, the number of damaged and destroyed houses were significantly
decreased concerning the year 2017 but comparatively higher than in 2016. 7334 houses were
partially damaged a 200 were completely damaged due to String Wind which affected 30633
 people in Uva, Sabaragamuwa Central, Southern and Western provinces during the East-west
monsoon with heavy rain. Floods and landslides have caused extreme damage to the public and
private properties in 2018. Northern and Western provinces record the highest numbers of
partially damaged houses.
But comparatively, it’s distinctively evident that the number of natural disasters and affected
population is lower than in 2017 but still the number of incidents which caused deaths and
disappearances is above all years.

Total Affected population- 2018

ACCIDENT ANIMAL ATTACK

BOAT CAPSIZE CHEMICAL

COLLAPSE OF BUILDINGS CUTTING FAILURE

CYCLONE DROUGHT
HEAVY RAINS LANDSLIDE LIGHTNING ROCK FALL STRONG WIND TORNADO ACCIDENT ANIMAL ATTACK
1% 0% 0% 0% 2% 0%DROWNING
0% 0% Electrocution
FIRE FLASH FLOOD

FLOOD HEAVY RAINS

FLOOD
30% LANDSLIDE LIGHTNING

ROCK FALL STRONG WIND

FLASH FLOOD DROUGHT Subsidence TORNADO

0% 65%
TREE FALLEN WALL COLLAPSE
FIRE
0%
DROWNING
0%

Figure 3.6.12:Total affected population in the year 2018

 Total affected population by province -2018
600000

500000

400000

300000

200000

100000

0
l rn l n rn a n a rn
ra te ra er te uw er Uv te
e nt s e nt rth es th es
C Ea -C No am So
u
W
rth -W ag
N o orth bar
N S a

Figure 3.6.13:Affected population by province

Number of damaged houses -2018

TREE FALLEN
TORNADO
STRONG WIND
ROCK FALL
LIGHTNING
LANDSLIDE
HEAVY RAINS
FLOOD
FLASH FLOOD
FIRE
DROUGHT
CYCLONE
CUTTING FAILURE
COLLAPSE OF BUILDINGS
ANIMAL ATTACK
ACCIDENT
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000

Figure 3.6.14:Number of houses damaged

 Sum of Deaths -2018
WALL COLLAPSE
TREE FALLEN
TORNADO
STRONG WIND
ROCK FALL
LIGHTNING
LANDSLIDE
HEAVY RAINS
FLOOD
FLASH FLOOD
FIRE
Electrocution
DROWNING
DROUGHT
CYCLONE
CUTTING FAILURE
COLLAPSE OF BUILDINGS
CHEMICAL
BOAT CAPSIZE
ANIMAL ATTACK
ACCIDENT
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Figure 3.6.15:Casualities due to hazards

3.7. 2019
In the year 2019 there can be seen a slight decrement in the total number of hazards reported in
comparison to the previous tear, as a percentage it can be represented as a decrement of 5.1%
and also the reported number of deaths have dropped by 409.4%. According to the statics, this
year has also been hugely impacted by floods which caused 13 deaths affecting 579904
(36.63%) of the total affected public, also floods have damaged 6886 houses while completely
destroying 147 of them. Statistical data also well shows that Eastern province was hugely
impacted due to flooding condition in the North-Eastern monsoon periods. Although not hugely
impacted, Central province had endured the flooding conditions throughout June to December
for six months. Uva province ranks higher according to the number of casualties caused due to
flooding in the month of December.
Strong wind conditions rank first when considering about the most frequently occurred natural
hazard, which in turn caused 26 deaths damaging 12046 houses and destroying 174. 1024
encounters (51.2%) have been reported in this year. Sabaragamuwa, Southern and Central
provinces rank at the first three spots. All 3 provinces have evidently endured the hazardous
situations for at least 6 months.
Lightning can also be depicted as a hazard which caused serious casualties, during the rainy
season in the country. 17 deaths have been reported and 2 houses have been destroyed
completely due to lightning. Due to the geographical positioning of the Sabaragamuwa province,
it had to prevail eleven months in a hazardous situation due to lightning.
 Statics illustrate that drowning is the single hazard which caused most number of deaths, and
43.17% of them have been reported from Southern province. Though it has not caused any
casualties or property damages. Droughts have affected 935098 (59.06%) people. Northern,
Eastern and North-Western provinces rank at the top 3 places according to the number of people
affected. As an overall, Eastern province has been severely affected by multiple drastic hazards
in this year and Central and Southern provinces has endured the greatest number of casualties.

Total affected population -2019

HEAVY RAINS LANDSLIDE LIGHTNING STRONG WIND TREE FALLEN ANIMAL CUTTING
ANIMAL ATTACK
0% 0% 0% 3% 0% ATTACK FAILURE
CUTTING FAILURE
0% 0%
DROUGHT
DROWNING
FIRE
FLOOD FLASH FLOOD
37% FLOOD
DROUGHT HEAVY RAINS
59% LANDSLIDE
FLASH FLOOD LIGHTNING
1% STRONG WIND
FIRE TREE FALLEN
0%
DROWNING
0%

Figure 3.7.16:Total affected population in 2019

 Sum of Casualties-2019
WALL COLLAPSE
TREE FALLEN
TORNADO
STRONG WIND
ROCK FALL
LIGHTNING
LANDSLIDE
HEAVY RAINS
FLOOD
FLASH FLOOD
FIRE
ELECTROCUTION
DROWNING
DROUGHT
CYCLONE
CUTTING FAILURE
COASTAL EROSION
CHEMICAL
BOAT CAPSIZE
ANIMAL ATTACK
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

Deaths missing

Figure 3.7.17:Sum of causalities

 Total Damaged and Destroyed houses- 2019
WALL COLLAPSE
TREE FALLEN
TORNADO
STRONG WIND
ROCK FALL
LIGHTNING
LANDSLIDE
HEAVY RAINS
FLOOD
FLASH FLOOD Damaged houses
Destroyed
FIRE
ELECTROCUTION
DROWNING
DROUGHT
CYCLONE
CUTTING FAILURE
COASTAL EROSION
CHEMICAL
BOAT CAPSIZE
ANIMAL ATTACK
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000

Figure 3.7.18:Number of houses damaged or destroyed