Demographic Analysis of People in Flood Prone Areas in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Floods, as a natural disaster that affects most of the Sri Lankans, undoubtedly have the biggest impact on the lives of Sri Lankans. Although floods affect all facets of life, including economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors, this study attempts to examine the demographic context of floods affecting people in flood-affected areas in Sri Lanka. Data were collected through questionnaires conducted with 440 households from three grama niladari divisions of Rathnapura divisional secretariate. The researcher chose this area as it was ideal for testing the hypothesis. 87% of households were affected by floods. The study further discovered that several other factors, including the employment status of the mother and father, income, and education level of parents. The results emphasize that most of the sample respondents were relatively low-income earners, and a high percentage of respondents within the sample have received at least some form of proper education, and in most cases, it is beyond the level of primary education. They also identified that the link between the educational level of the respondents in the sample and their income levels is substantially strong. This study recommended that the government take steps to secure these areas by implementing flood prevention methods. Those living in flood-prone areas must be moved to lands in other areas.