2. TSUNAMI DEVASTATION
Coastal Area Affected by Tsunami
The December 26, 2004 tsunami caused severe damages to the coastal communities in twelve
of the fourteen coastal districts, namely Colombo, Negombo, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu,
Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Hambantota, Matara, Galle, and Kalutara Districts, which
covers more than 80 percent of the coastal belt. The other two districts, Puttalam and Mannar
had minimum damage.
Figure 2.1 Coastal area affected by tsunami
1
Damage to Fishing Communities
The fishing industry was the hardest hit by the tsunami. The coastal communities who depend
on fisheries and allied industries as livelihood have been seriously affected. More than 4,800
fishermen died. The highest number of deaths was reported from Ampara (Kalmunai),
Mullaitivu and Jaffna Districts. Over 16,000 fishing households were destroyed. The highest
number of fishing houses was damaged in Batticaloa, Jaffna, Trincomalee and Ampara
(Kalmunai) Districts. More than 103,000 people were displaced and over 80,000 people who
had been engaged in fishing or allied activities have lost their livelihood.
Table 2.1 Damage to Fishing Communities
District
No. of active
No. of
No. of
No. of
No. of
fishermen
fishermen
displaced
fishing
fishing
(2003*)
reported
fishermen
households
houses
destroyed
damaged
dead
Ampara*
15,500
908
11,285
2,148
1,378
Batticaloa*
21,600
684
18,274
3,705
2,830
Colombo
2,800
6
3,823
762
792
Galle*
6,300
376
7,144
1,451
1,111
16,800
5
6,136
146
152
6,100
438
4,753
630
1,083
16,800
856
14,406
2,227
1,242
Kalutara*
4,200
21
4,007
1,027
1,231
Kilinochchi*
3,700
11
2,158
8
Mannar
9,400
0
0
0
0
Matara*
7,100
378
8,548
739
1,135
Mullaitivu*
3,300
858
7,095
1,399
462
Puttalam
22,100
1
2,220
36
162
Trincomalee*
16,100
328
13,338
2,156
1,751
151,800
4,870
103,187
16,434
13,329
Gampaha
Hambantota*
Jaffna*
Total
Source: Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
* Districts affected by tsunami
2
Damages to Fishing Fleet
Of the fishing fleet of 30,567 over 79 percent were completely destroyed or seriously
damaged. Of them, 97 percent were coastal operating craft and 59 percent were nonmotorized traditional crafts operated by subsistence fishermen in the near shore areas. The
cost of damage to the fleet was US$ 672.6 mn. In addition, over 136,503 units of gear valued
at US$ 136.5 mn and 891 outboard engines valued at US$ 17.8 mn were also destroyed.
Damages to Harbours and Anchorages
Ten out of 12 fishing harbours in the country have been badly impacted to varying
degrees along with 37 anchorages. Damage has been caused to structure including,
displacement of breakwater rock boulders, shore structure and building, fuel tanks,
pumps and distributor systems, water tanks and supply systems, internal roads,
slipways, boat repair yards. Almost all harbours require cleaning up and dredging of
the basin and the channels. The cost estimates for damages to the harbours,
anchorages and landing sites is approximately US$ 465 mn.
Table 2.2 Damage Assessment of Fishery Harbours
Harbour
Panadura
Marine structures
Shore facilities
Breakwater, groyne, quay wall, beacon Complete
damage
to
lamps and revetment partly damaged. Cost boundary
walls,
gate,
of damage estimated at US$ 5 mn
security hut, fenders, etc.
and partial damage to
internal roads, drains and
water supply. Cost of
damage is estimated at US$
0.4 mn
Partial damage to fish
auction hall, office building,
net mending hall and
complete damage to toilet
facilities. Cost of damage is
estimated at US$ 0.8 mn
Beruwala
Breakwater, groyne, quay wall and beacon
lamps partly damaged. Cost of damage
estimated at SLR 37.5 million
3
Complete
damage
to
boundary walls, security hut,
fenders, etc. and partial
damage to internal roads,
drains and water supply.
Cost of damage is estimated
to be US$ 0.8 mn
Partial damage to fish
auction hall, office building,
net mending hall, stores,
toilets, canteen, managers
quarters and fuel tank and
dispensing
unit
and
estimated at US$ 1.9 mn
Hikkaduwa
Breakwater, groyne, quay wall and beacon
lamps partly damaged. Cost of damage
estimated at US$ 1.9 mn
Complete
damage
to
boundary
walls,
gate,
security hut, fenders, etc.
and partial damage to
internal roads, drains and
electricity supply. Cost of
damage estimated at US$
1.9 mn
Partial damage to fish
auction
hall,
office
buildings, net mending hall
stores, radio room, toilets,
fuel tank and dispensing unit
and complete damage to the
canteen are estimated at US$
1.0 mn
Galle
Partial damage to the jetty and quay wall.
Cost of damage estimated at SLR 26 million
Complete
damage
to
boundary
walls,
gate,
security hut, fenders, etc.
and partial damage to
internal roads, drains, water
and electricity supply. Cost
of damage estimated at US$
1.9 mn
Partial damage to offices and
stores, net mending hall,
radio
room,
toilets,
managers quarters, security
room, rest room, ice plant
and complete damage to the
workshop and fish auction
hall are estimated at US$ 8.2
mn
Kudawella
Breakwater, groyne, quay wall and beacon Partial damage to boundary
lamps partly damaged. Cost of damage walls, gate, security hut,
estimated at US$ 4.8 mn
internal
roads,
fenders,
drains water and electricity
supply. Cost of damage
estimated at US$ 1.03 mn
Partial damage to fish
4
auction hall, net mending
hall, toilets, canteen, office
and office are estimated at
US$ 0.7 mn
Tangalle
Breakwater, groyne, quay wall and beacon Complete
damage
to
lamps partly damaged. Cost of damage boundary
walls,
gate,
estimated at US$ 2.9 mn
security hut and partial
damage to internal roads,
drains, water and electricity
supply, fenders etc. Cost of
damage estimated at US$
0.75 mn
Partial damage to fish
auction
hall,
office
buildings, net mending hall,
radio room, toilets, ice plant,
canteen, fuel tank and
dispensing unit, managers
quarters, security room,
workshop, Ceynor office and
complete damage to the
treatment
plant
and
fishermen’s rest room are
estimated at US$ 5.4 mn
Kirinda
Breakwater, groyne, quay wall and beacon Complete
damage
to
lamps partly damaged. Cost of damage boundary
walls,
gate,
estimated at US$ 5 mn
security hut, fenders etc. and
partial damage to internal
roads, drains, water and
electricity supply. Cost of
damage estimated at US$
1.7 mn
Partial damage to fish
auction
hall,
office
buildings, net mending hall,
radio room, toilets, canteen,
fuel tank and dispensing
unit, workshop, cold rooms
and complete damage to ice
plant, managers quarters,
circuit
bungalow
and
fishermen’s
rest
are
estimated at US$ 6 mn
Mirissa
Designing stage
Puranawella
Designing stage
Cod Bay
To be developed under the ADB funded North East Coastal Communities
Development Project UNDP. Work to commence in 2007
Source: Anon, 2006b. Recovery assessment in the fisheries sector
5
Damage to Fisheries Institutions
Extensive damage caused to the assets of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources,
included buildings housing the district offices and the Fisheries Inspectors and Monitoring,
Controlling and Surveillance (MCS) units along with their equipment, vehicles, documents
and records.
The research laboratories and facilities, computers, aquarium, indigenous and endemic fish
breeding center, equipment as well as data and records pertaining to over 20 years of research
of NARA were destroyed. The National Institute of Fisheries and Nautical Engineering
(NIFNE) also suffered a considerable damage to its training institutions and facilities,
particularly at Batticaloa where the training institute was completely destroyed. Vital
machinery and equipment, heavy plant equipment and vehicles including site buildings
belonging to the Coast Conservation Department have suffered heavy damages due to
Tsunami.
The estimated total cost of repair, replacement and reconstruction of the Departments and
agencies under the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is in the order of US$ 10 mn.
Table 2.3 Damages to Institutions Connected to Fisheries
Institution
Damage
National Aquatic Resources Buildings and equipment
Research and Development (fisheries
museum,
Agency (NARA)
laboratories,
auditorium,
aquarium
and
stores,
excluding
damages
to
Hydrographic Survey Boats)
Cost Conservation
Department (CCD)
Coast
protection
and
conservation structures
Heavy vehicles etc.
Department of Fisheries and Damages
to
buildings,
Aquatic Resources (DFAR)
Equipments
and
radio
communication system and
surveillance boat
National Institute of Fisheries Damages
to
buildings,
and Nautical Engineering training
boats
and
(NIFNE)
demonstration equipment
Total
Source: Anon, 2006b. Recovery assessment in the fisheries sector
6
Damage estimation
1000 US$
3,840
3,550
1,500
890
9,780
Damage to Post Harvest Facilities and Services
The fish marketing network of the island suffered a severe tsunami damage. The large urban
fish markets at Galle, Matara, Hambantota and many retail outlets belonging to the CFC and
private traders sustained heavy damages and in many cases were completely destroyed.
Furthermore, 28 cold storages and 18 ice plants have been severely damaged at an estimated
cost of US$ 9 mn.
Damage to Coastal Protection Structures
The cost of damages to coastal protection structures such as groynes and revetments, beach
parks, coastal habitats and coastal environment including the Special Area Management Sites
has been assessed at US$ 32 mn
Damage to Aquaculture
Damage to small shrimp farms in Batticaloa district and lost assets of divers engaged in
ornamental fish, chank and beche de mer collection has been estimated at US$ 0.5 mn.
7
Table 2.4 Number of Damaged and Destroyed Fishing Boats by District
District
IBM multiday boats
IBM day boats
OBM FRP boats
Tradition
Destroyed
Damaged
Destroyed
Damaged
Destroyed
Damaged
Destroyed
Ampara (Kalmunai)
1
1
43
196
358
94
1479
Batticaloa
0
0
4
278
494
189
2,107
Colombo
0
14
2
9
5
102
45
Galle
61
98
58
28
173
149
549
Gampaha (Negombo)
5
85
5
36
14
124
50
Hambantota
54
112
44
34
387
216
649
Jaffna
0
0
41
47
887
694
1,318
Kalutara
24
62
7
17
47
137
301
Kilinochchi
0
0
0
0
0
0
168
Mannar
1
0
0
0
0
8
3
Matara
30
211
70
106
156
283
507
Mullaitivu
0
0
0
0
848
0
936
Puttalam (Chilaw)
9
75
0
5
14
76
12
Trincomalee
2
18
2
27
1,097
1,139
3,034
187
676
276
783
4,480
3,211
11,158
Total
Source: Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
8