Abstract:
Dams have become a very important infrastructure that provides enormous benefits to
the economy of the country. Even though dams are very important and significant
structures within a country, their breaks can cause severe damage to the country’s
economy, society, and environment. Other than that, it can be impacted human life by
causing deaths. As a come-up strategy, early warning systems can be used to reduce the
severe impacts of dam breaks. Early warning systems (EWS) have been identified as a
very important tool used to save lives and properties from disasters. Hence, this paper
attempts to identify the functional characteristics of an EWS that can be used to reduce
the impacts of dam breaks in Sri Lanka. An extensive literature survey was conducted to
achieve the primary objective of this paper. Accordingly, the paper has identified the
major purposes of dams, the causes for the dam breaks, and the impacts of dam breaks
on the economy, society, and the environment. Then, the paper explores the functional
characteristics of the EWS which is used for dam breaks. Finally, a conceptual
framework has been developed with the key literature findings of the paper in order to
minimise the social, economic, and environmental impacts created by dam breaks using
early warning systems in Sri Lanka. As such, this paper will be a value addition to
support the country’s economy, society, as well as environment.
