COMMUNITY PERCEPTION ON RAINFALL VARIABILITY IN THE KURUWITA DIVISIONAL SECRETARIAT IN RATNAPURA DISTRICT

Abstract

The study aimed to analyse the community perception of the rainfall variability in the Kuruwita DSD since climate change-induced adverse weather effects are common in the area. The study is based on the primary data collected using a structured questionnaire considering 12 Grama Niladhari Divisions (GNDs) in the Kuruwita DSD. As revealed by the study,the majority of the sample population is aware that the rainfall pattern has changed in the area (70%) rainfall is not received in real-time (55%) means that the seasonal rainfall pattern in the area has changed, and high intensity of rainfall (58%) in the area. They have experienced an increasing number of rainy days per year, therefore a high amount of rainfall (77%). Comparatively,people who are living in the higher latitudinal areas are more knowledgeable about the rainfall variability than those in the lower latitudinal areas. The study suggests further research on community mitigation and adaptation methods to cope with rainfall variability.