| dc.description.abstract | The relationship between life and water is as old as time itself. Ancient civilizations
settled near riverine regions to access water easily which was essential for survival.
Though access to water was easy, settlements near low-lying riverine areas frequently
suffered from floods. Recent climate changes and increase in urbanization have resulted
in rise of flood events and the damages caused by it. The Kelani River Basin in Sri
Lanka experiences annual floods with the onset of the Southwest monsoon and damages
caused by floods in the region incur substantial losses to the lives and economy while
impacting the social status of lives. This study investigated the rainfall, flood levels,
and impacts of flood events occurred in two different years in the Kelani River Basin
utilizing a holistic approach to evaluate the socio-hydrological status of the region.
Through investigations carried out in the domains of hydrology, the study found that
the current rainfall trend indicates the possibility of increased flood events in the
future. By integrating hydrological data with socio-economic indicators, the study
examined how floods during the Southwest monsoon trigger cascading effects on socio
hydrology with respect to livelihoods, infrastructure, and environmental sustainability.
Key aspects explored include flood frequency, magnitude, duration, and their differential
impacts on vulnerable communities due to floods occurred in the two years. Insights
from this comparative study contribute to a deeper understanding of socio-hydrological
dynamics, while facilitating informed decision-making for sustainable flood management
and disaster resilience in the Kelani River Basin and similar environments globally. | en_US |
