Abstract:
Addalachenai, a coastal town in Sri Lanka, is increasingly vulnerable to seasonal flooding due to
intense monsoonal rainfall, low-lying terrain, inadequate drainage, and unregulated land use
changes. This study aims to assess spatial flood vulnerability and its environmental and socio
economic implications, with the broader objective of recommending sustainable resilience
strategies. The main objective is to map high-risk flood zones using Geographic Information
Systems (GIS), while sub-objectives include evaluating flood-induced impacts on agriculture,
infrastructure, and local livelihoods. The research integrates both primary data (field surveys,
stakeholder interviews) and secondary data (rainfall records, satellite imagery, digital elevation
models, and land use/land cover maps). GIS-based hydrological modeling and floodplain mapping
techniques are employed to analyze flood patterns and vulnerability hotspots. Findings reveal that
flood-prone zones are predominantly situated in low-elevation areas with poor drainage, leading
to significant environmental degradation, including soil erosion, reduced agricultural productivity,
and infrastructure damage. The study proposes a suite of GIS-informed strategies, including
wetland restoration, improved drainage planning, community-based early warning systems, and
the adoption of climate-resilient land use practices. These measures aim to reduce flood risk,
strengthen disaster preparedness, and support sustainable development efforts within vulnerable
coastal regions.
