Disaster Mitigation and Management – Department of Geography

Project Field Study 02- 2022

Course Module: Disaster Mitigation and Management (AGYC 42013)

Date: 06.02.2022 (Sunday)

Field Study Theme: Disaster Mitigation Assessment and related Activities

Participants: Students of the Bachelor of Arts in Geography, Department of Geography, University of Jaffna.

Study Area: From Oorani, Point-Pedro to Vadamaradchchi East Coastal Villages including, Manatkadu, Maruthankerny, Uduthurai, Aliyavalai, and Kandavalai areas

Objective: To observe and enhance the student’s comparative skills and critical thinking in disaster mitigation and management at the ground level specially disaster affected areas.

Places covered with in-depth discussion:

Public Institution (Divisional Hospital-Valvettiturai situated within 100 meters of the coast)- Observed and discussed issues: Evacuation Strategies, methods , infrastructure and the present condition)
Manatkadu -Observed and discussed issues: Disaster preparedness, Eco-Tourism and Community forestry and Protection
Uduththurai- Intensive discussion about Evacuation Path (Kodukkulai-Aliyavalai-Mavilankai) and its multi-level development goals
Velikandal Village, Priyakulam GS Division, Kandavalai DS Division- Issues about annual flooding in the monsoon season, Livelihood, Women Self-Help Group support project were discussed through intensive discussion.

Methods used: Field Observation, Ethnographic, Narrative and Phenomenological techniques.

Study Outcome:

Students identified the methods of disaster preparedness, challenges and problems at the ground level at public institutions.
Students observed and analysed the level of disaster preparedness at Manatkadu village. Further they analyzed the present worst condition of the Eco-Tourism project that was already implemented at the coast of Manatkadu and its dilapidated state. They discussed about the community forestry of the area and its preservation

(Recommendation: Further in-depth community-based study about Manatkadu forest should be initiated without delay)

At Uduththurai village, students acquired knowledge about natural disaster like Tsunami from the people who witnessed the disaster through narrative and phenomenological stories and visited the Tsunami Evacuation Path that was built through the community-led initiative. This was a pioneer evidence witnessing a community-based initiative without government assistance that works not only for the purpose of Tsunami evacuation but also helps expanding the socio-economy of the villages by transporting its products to other parts of the country that benefits many women-headed families.

(Recommendation: It is observed that half of the Evacuation Path is in incomplete condition that causes damaging the path. Students study recommends that mandatory agencies should take immediate steps to rebuild the path to save the life of the people from natural disasters.)

Velikandal Village flood issues and its related problems are observed. Lack of coordination in the flood control mechanism and administrative negligence are identified from this field visit.

(Recommendation: A special disaster risk assessment study of Iranamadu downstream area and developing a risk sensitive flood disaster reduction programmes are recommended by the students. The team has decided to do a further fact-finding discussion with the stakeholders in the next semester)