Assessment of the degree of public awareness on Tsunamis in Galle district, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Tsunami is one of the most devastated coastal hazard, which may perhaps yields serious damages to both human lives and properties in affected islands like Sri Lanka. As an island, Sri Lanka has also become a Tsunami prone risk zone as frequent earthquakes reported in Java Sumathra region.

Knowledge and the awareness on such coastal hazards of the community is a vital facts, which results is minimizing its adverse effects. Developing awareness processess and effective communication systems will definitely assist in the designing of hazards maps and evacuation plans.

26th December 2004 Tsunami has hit the Sri Lankan coastal regions creating many lives losses and property damages as a result of lack of previous experience in similar typed hazard.

Focusing the assessment of public awareness and subsequent responsiveness on Tsunami, the study was planned to evaluate degree of awareness in the general public on Tsunami responsiveness and counter measures to be adopted. The survey was carried out in two stages as pre and post second anniversary of December 2004 Tsunami event. At the survey, 1200 sample was selected based on geographical representations of affected Grama Niladhari Divisions. School community and the general public are substantially encountered at the survey. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the sample and informal discussions were conducted to collect additional information. The survey was conducted by a team comprising of Engineers, Sociologist etc. The data collected was analyzed and results are presented in the report. Media effect, communication gaps, reliability of early warning systems, public responsiveness, suggested countermeasures are the critical outcomes of the study which needs to address at policy level. Ill