Rainfall Forecasting and Flood Simulation for Land Use Management: Bentota River Basin in Sri Lanka

Flood simulation modeling related to land use management is very important for mitigation and integration of disaster risk reduction into the development process. Flood estimation data obtained through gauging stations, GPS devices and participatory based mapping are poor in accuracy and current software on flood simulation are high in cost and need vast amount of input data. Hence, it is essential to have a proper method to simulate flood with the changes of rainfall pattern in relatively fast and accurate manner for flood prone areas of Sri Lanka. This simulation model combined various factors such as rainfall, slope, hydrology, soil, land use, storm water drainage and human behaviour factors. This developed flood simulation model showed a high level of consistence between the observed and simulated results.The approach adopted in this study will be useful for other researchers, agriculturalist and planners to identify the future climate change and to develop flood simulation models for other river catchment areas.

Dr. Ranjana UK Piyadasa (PhD- Hydrogeology & MSc- Engineering Geology in Russia) is a Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Mrs Gayani Ranasinge (B.Sc in Town and Country Planning & M.Sc. in Project Management) is a Lecturer, Department of Town and Country Planning, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.