Beach nourishment in Sri Lanka increases erosion risk, alarming disaster potential.
The study looked at changes in Mt. Lavinia Beach in Sri Lanka before, during, and after a beach nourishment project in 2020. They used satellite data and mapping techniques to analyze erosion risks from natural and human factors. The new Shoreline Movement Uncertainty index showed that the beach had short-term changes due to monsoons, with an average erosion rate of 41.83 meters over 15 years. The nourishment project increased the beach width by 8.72 meters overall, but a 278-meter stretch near Mt. Lavinia hotel continued to erode at a rate of 0.27 meters per year before the project. Even after the nourishment, this area still showed erosion at a faster rate of 20.12 meters per year, posing a risk of disaster.