Sri Lanka: At least 40 dead after severe floods – BBC

Report on Severe Weather Impact in Sri Lanka and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1.0 Executive Summary

Sri Lanka has experienced one of its most severe weather-related disasters in recent years, triggered by heavy monsoon rains. The resulting floods and landslides have caused significant loss of life, displacement of communities, and widespread infrastructural damage. This event represents a substantial setback to the nation’s progress towards achieving several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to climate action, poverty, health, and resilient infrastructure.

• Fatalities: At least 56 individuals have been confirmed deceased.
• Missing Persons: 21 individuals remain unaccounted for.
• Affected Population: Approximately 44,000 people have been directly impacted.
• Immediate Cause: Widespread flooding and landslides resulting from extreme rainfall.
• Aggravating Factor: The impending arrival of Cyclone Ditwah is expected to worsen conditions.

2.0 Impact Assessment and Setbacks to Sustainable Development Goals

The disaster’s impact extends across multiple sectors, directly undermining progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The consequences highlight critical vulnerabilities in infrastructure and community resilience, demanding urgent attention in line with global development targets.

2.1 Human and Social Impact

The primary impact has been on human life and well-being, directly challenging fundamental SDGs.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The loss of 56 lives and the 21 missing persons represent a severe blow to public health and safety. The disaster conditions also elevate the risk of waterborne diseases.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: The destruction of homes and livelihoods threatens to push affected families, particularly in low-lying and rural areas like the Badulla district, into poverty.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The postponement of national Advanced Level (A-level) examinations disrupts the educational calendar and creates uncertainty for students, impacting their future opportunities.

2.2 Infrastructure and Economic Disruption

Critical infrastructure has been compromised, halting economic activity and demonstrating a pressing need for climate-resilient development.

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The destruction of homes, the closure of key provincial roads, and the nationwide cancellation of most train services reveal the vulnerability of the country’s infrastructure to extreme weather events.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The flooding of towns and the issuance of a red level flood warning for areas including the capital, Colombo, underscore the urgent need to build resilient and sustainable human settlements capable of withstanding climate shocks.
3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The impact on the central tea-growing district of Badulla, a key economic region, along with the paralysis of the national transportation network, severely hampers economic productivity.

3.0 Climate Context and Institutional Response

This event is a stark manifestation of the climate crisis, demanding robust climate action and effective institutional coordination.

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The unusual intensity of the monsoon rains and the formation of Cyclone Ditwah are indicative of escalating climate change impacts. This disaster highlights the critical need for Sri Lanka to strengthen its climate adaptation and resilience-building strategies.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The response, coordinated by the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and supported by the deployment of 20,500 army troops for rescue and relief, demonstrates the functioning of state institutions. Continued strengthening of these disaster management frameworks is essential for future preparedness.

4.0 Current Situation and Outlook

The situation remains critical, with ongoing risks and a coordinated national response underway.

• Meteorological Forecast: Over 200 mm of additional rain is forecast for central and northern regions, with river levels, including the Kelani River, continuing to rise.
• Public Warnings: The DMC and Irrigation Department have issued high-level warnings, urging residents in at-risk, low-lying areas to evacuate to higher ground.
• Cyclone Threat: Cyclone Ditwah is intensifying off the eastern coast, posing a further threat of severe weather before it is projected to make landfall in India.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The article on the floods and landslides in Sri Lanka connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) due to its focus on a natural disaster’s impact on human life, infrastructure, and societal functions.

   • SDG 1: No Poverty: Disasters like these disproportionately affect the poor, destroying homes and livelihoods, which can push vulnerable populations further into poverty. The article mentions “houses being washed away” and “44,000 people have been affected,” which implies a significant economic and social shock.
   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article directly addresses this goal by reporting on the loss of life (“At least 56 people have been killed and 21 are missing”). The deployment of rescue operations also relates to managing health risks during and after a disaster.
   • SDG 4: Quality Education: The disruption to the education system is explicitly mentioned: “Students sitting for the Advanced Level Exams – also known as the A-levels – have also have their exams postponed as a result.” This highlights the impact of the disaster on educational continuity.
   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The core of the article revolves around the vulnerability of human settlements to natural disasters. It describes “houses being washed away as flood waters cascade through towns” and a “red level flood warning” for low-lying areas, including the capital, Colombo. This directly relates to making cities and communities resilient.
   • SDG 13: Climate Action: The article describes an extreme weather event (“one of its worst weather related disasters,” “heavy rains,” “Cyclone Ditwah”) and notes that “it is rare for the island to see extreme weather on this level.” This points to the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related hazards, which is a central theme of SDG 13.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 1.5: “By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters.” The article’s focus on a “weather related disaster” affecting tens of thousands of people directly relates to this target.
   • Target 3.d: “Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.” The mention of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) issuing warnings (“A red level flood warning has been issued”) and deploying troops for rescue demonstrates the country’s systems for risk reduction and management.
   • Target 4.a: “Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.” The postponement of A-level exams indicates that the disaster compromised the safety and effectiveness of the learning environment.
   • Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.” The article provides precise figures on deaths, missing persons, and affected individuals from floods and landslides, which are water-related disasters.
   • Target 13.1: “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.” The entire event described—a severe cyclone and flooding—and the national response highlight the critical need for resilience and adaptive capacity to such climate-related hazards.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article contains specific data points and information that can serve as indicators for measuring progress towards the identified targets.

   • For Targets 1.5, 11.5, and 13.1: The article provides direct quantitative data for Indicator 11.5.1/13.1.1 (“Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters”).
     • Number of deaths: “At least 56 people have been killed.”
     • Number of missing persons: “21 are missing.”
     • Number of affected persons: “almost 44,000 people have been affected.”
   • For Target 3.d: The article implies indicators related to national disaster preparedness. The actions of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) issuing a “red level flood warning” and the deployment of “around 20,500 army troops… to provide relief and rescue operations” serve as qualitative indicators of the country’s early warning and response capacity.
   • For Target 4.a: A direct indicator is the “postponement” of the Advanced Level Exams. This can be measured as the number of school days lost or major educational milestones disrupted due to natural disasters, reflecting the failure to provide a safe and effective learning environment.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (as identified in the article)
   SDG 1: No Poverty	1.5: Build resilience of the poor and reduce their vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and disasters.	Number of people affected by the disaster (44,000).
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	3.d: Strengthen capacity for early warning, risk reduction, and management of health risks.	Issuance of a “red level flood warning” by the DMC; Deployment of 20,500 army troops for rescue.
   SDG 4: Quality Education	4.a: Provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.	Postponement of national Advanced Level Exams due to the disaster.
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.5: Significantly reduce the number of deaths and people affected by disasters.	Number of deaths (56), missing persons (21), and affected people (44,000) from floods and landslides.
   SDG 13: Climate Action	13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.	Occurrence of an unusually severe weather event (“rare for the island to see extreme weather on this level”); Number of deaths and affected persons as a measure of impact.

Source: bbc.com