(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –The Sri Lankan government plans to implement a special project within the next four years to reduce the landslide risk by taking disaster minimizing steps.
Landslides have become a common occurrence in the hilly areas due to heavy rains brought about by the climatic changes and improper land usage, according to the Disaster Management Ministry.
National Building Research Organization (NBRO) and other government agencies have already implemented a number of programs for landslide risk management.
However, to completely control the landslide threat measures have to be taken to identify the risks early on and prepare the relief. Disaster minimizing measures include the use of technological tools for early risk identification, strengthening of slopes, management of surface and underground water flows, training, awareness programs, construction of temporary detention centers
Accordingly, a proposal made by Disaster Management Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa to implement a project to reduce landslide risk by implementing disaster mitigation measures within the next 04 years was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.
The Cabinet of Ministers also approved a proposal to provide relief to the people affected by the dry weather. The Government is already providing a dry ration to 740,000 families in 19 districts and the cabinet granted approval to continue the relief program and to allocate required funds.
