Floods in Sri Lanka is a recurring problem. Various countries have used the following techniques to reduce the negative impact of heavy rain. Means have also been used to protect the environment and the quality of water.
Dredge canals and rivers
A dredger simply sucks in silt and water by means of a pump and hose pipe and separates the silt. The sand could be used for various purposes, including land fill. The cleared waterway would naturally ease the flow of water. Dredgers could be manufactured by Lanka Dockyard Ltd. Colombo. This method of constructing dredgers would create employment, and also develop local skills.
Create rainwater catchment areas
Such areas could promote fish farming. Creating catchment areas would bring about employment. Further, if the catchment area is used for fish farming, the area would provide a useful source of proteins to the locals. Catchment areas could also be used for leisure activities that may benefit tourists as well as locals.
Trees
Grow trees to prevent soil erosion and thereby such areas could be used to absorb water. Again, such activity would generate employment in the tree management field, provide timber, improve the environment, etc.
Canals
As the construction of houses reduce the ground area available for absorption of rain water, construction of new canals may have to be considered.
People can live off the land if the land and the environment are not contaminated with toxins. It is known that certain areas in the NCP are contaminated with heavy metal such as, lead and mercury, and the poor farming families are paying a heavy price. The NCP is also known to be contaminated by agro chemicals. Living in a toxic environment, will not only cause kidney disease, but would cause reduced cognitive ability.
Also, mental illnesses and aggressive behaviour may increase due to the impact of heavy metals. To avoid such problems, it may be prudent to regularly monitor the environment, rivers, waterways and lakes for toxins. Identify the source and eliminate the source. If this is not done, it would cause massive problems in the future.
These are well known techniques to reduce the impact of heavy rain. Are these techniques used in Lanka ? Do we have systems to monitor the quality of water in rivers, waterways and lakes ? People can suggest solutions to our recurring flooding problem that creates destruction each year. I am sure people can also suggest ways of protecting our water quality.
Safeguarding the environment is an important area that needs attention.
- Engr. V. Vedage