Socio - Economic impact of landslide: special reference to Meeriyabedda estate

Abstract

This research examines the socio-economic impact of land slide; special reference to Meeriyabedda estate. It is based on the landslide that occurred in October 2014. Primary and secondary data was collected for this research. Primary data collected through the questionnaires and interview and the Secondary data was gathered from the Ampattikanda Plantation Division, Koslanda Grama Niladhari Division, Haldumulla Divisional Secretary Office, and Koslanda District Hospital. The objective of the research is to identify the socio-economic impact of the Meeriyabedda estate landslide and provide suggestions to reduce the impacts of the landslide. The economic impact of the landslide was analyzed using primary data by the multiple regression model and descriptive analysis through the SPSS and MS excel package. As well as other objectives were analyzed using primary and secondary data in a descriptive manner between the periods of 2010 to 2019. According to the model analysis, income, family size, and education variables all contribute significantly to consumption after the landslide, whereas income and education variables only contribute to consumption before the landslide. According to the descriptive analysis, the economic involvement of a number of families decreased compared to before the landslide. After the landslide, people lost their income sources such as agriculture cultivation, animal husbandry, tea plantations, and shops, etc. As well as Meeriyabedda estate, people face difficulties in accessing medical facilities and education due to the affected transport infrastructure due to the landslide. Findings anticipate that Meeriyabedda estate people are still facing many problems in rebuilding their economic as well as socio-economic aspects. Furthermore, this study provides policymakers with recommendations for providing warning devices to detect landslides in high-risk areas for landslides, as well as providing self-employment and credit facilities to people who have lost their lands, properties, and employment, as well as building schools, hospitals, and other socioeconomic needs in close proximity to the resettled areas for easy access.