A study on disaster management practices: a case study of the Guhagoda solid waste management project of Kandy Municipal Council

Abstract

Environmental degradation and subsequent disasters have heightened the urgency of effective disaster management within waste management contexts, particularly evident in the urban landscape of Kandy Municipality. The main purpose of this study is to apply Disaster Management Practices for Flood and Landslide Disasters Associated with Guhagoda Solid Waste Management Project. It is regulated by the Kandy Municipal Council (KMC). Until 1960, Guhagoda was utilized as a remote location to dispose of hospital garbage, then as a sewage disposal site, and lastly as a location to dispose of all waste produced by the Kandy Municipal Council. Despite existing research on the Guhagoda Solid Waste Management Project, notably its environmental impacts, there remains a critical gap concerning disaster management practices specifically tailored to address the heightened risks of landslides, water and air pollution, and associated health issues. The Guhagoda dumping site initially repurposed with aid from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has morphed into a primary disposal site for solid waste from Kandy and neighbouring regions, posing significant environmental and health hazards. As elucidated by Smith (2006), disaster management encompasses preparedness, Prevention, response, recovery, and mitigation practices. Guhagoda Solid Waste Management Project, by applying these disaster management practices, this case study shows how to manage the disasters that arise