Determination of Adaptive Capacity for Flash Floods in Sri Lankan Context: Colombo City
Sri Lanka has witnessed many natural and anthropogenic disasters that have had a devastating impact on community and the economic welfare of the country. Disaster management actions are required to be taken to reduce disaster risk. Adaptive capacity is one of such measurements that can predict the resilience of the community. Climate changes directly effects on occurrences of disasters, especially on flash floods, which is one of the frequent disasters in Sri Lanka. The present research explained about developing an adaptive index for flash flood occurrences in the Colombo City, Sri Lanka. Secondary data were used to identify indicators of the index as well as to quantify the frequency and severity of the flash flood. Five determinants and 16 indicators were developed for the index by considering all 47 wards of Colombo city. All measurements were weighted by using a questionnaire survey and the results were normalized. Five determinants were mapped based on analyzed data and the highest vulnerability wards were identified. Mahawatte ward has the highest vulnerability followed by Wanathamulla and Bluemendhal. On the other hand, Kotehena East was observed as the lowest vulnerability ward followed by Wellawatte South and Wellawatte North.