Floods : Aspects of disaster management

 

Floods

 

Introduction and Definition

A flood is a natural disaster in which an area that is normally dry is covered by a large amount of water. Floods can occur due to a variety of causes, including heavy rainfall, melting snow, hurricanes and typhoons, and the failure of man-made structures such as dams and levees. The resulting water damage can lead to widespread destruction of homes, businesses, and infrastructure, and can result in loss of life, as well. Flooding can also cause long-term environmental and economic damage, as contaminated water can harm crops and wildlife, and make it difficult for people to return to their homes and communities.

Figure 1. Floods in urban areas.

Characteristics

The following are some of the key characteristics of floods:

1. Large amount of water: Floods are characterized by the sudden and excessive accumulation of water in an area that is normally dry.
2. Unpredictable: Floods can occur suddenly and without warning, making them difficult to prepare for and respond to.
3. Wide-ranging impact: Floods can affect large geographic areas, impacting multiple communities and causing widespread damage.
4. Multiple causes: Floods can be caused by a variety of factors, including heavy rainfall, snowmelt, hurricanes and typhoons, and failures of man-made structures such as dams and levees.
5. Risk to life and property: Floods can pose a serious risk to human life and property, as fast-moving waters can easily sweep away buildings and people.
6. Environmental impact: Floods can also have long-term environmental impacts, as contaminated water can harm crops and wildlife, and make it difficult for people to return to their homes and communities.
7. Economic impact: The damage caused by floods can result in significant economic losses, as businesses and homes are destroyed, and infrastructure is damaged or destroyed.
8. Difficulty in predicting: Predicting the occurrence and severity of floods can be difficult, as they are often influenced by multiple and complex factors, such as weather patterns, land use, and topography.

Table 1. Proposed flood mitigation strategies.

There are several countermeasures that can be used to reduce the impact of floods, including:

1. Land use planning: Careful land use planning can help reduce the risk of flooding by avoiding development in areas prone to flooding, preserving wetlands and other natural features that can absorb water, and encouraging the creation of green spaces that can absorb rainwater.
2. Flood warning systems: Early warning systems, such as weather forecasts, flood alerts, and evacuation plans, can help people prepare for and respond to floods.
3. Flood protection structures: Physical structures, such as levees, dams, and floodwalls, can be built to help protect communities from flooding.
4. Floodplain management: Implementing effective floodplain management policies, such as zoning, building codes, and insurance requirements, can help reduce the impact of floods by reducing the exposure of people and property to flood risk.
5. Flood insurance: Encouraging people to purchase flood insurance can help ensure that they are financially prepared to respond to and recover from floods.
6. Disaster response and recovery planning: Preparing disaster response and recovery plans, including evacuation plans and pre-positioning of emergency supplies and equipment, can help communities respond effectively to floods.
7. Watershed management: Implementing effective watershed management practices, such as reducing runoff and improving water storage, can help reduce the risk of flooding by managing the amount of water that is available in a watershed.

These countermeasures can be implemented in a variety of ways, including through government policies, regulations, and investments, as well as through community-level actions, such as preparing emergency kits and having an evacuation plan in place.

Aspects of disaster management

 

Floods can cause widespread damage to infrastructure, homes, and businesses, and can result in significant loss of life. Disaster management response to floods typically involves several key steps, including:

1. Preparedness: Preparing in advance for floods is a critical step in disaster management. This includes developing evacuation plans, establishing emergency shelters, and training first responders.
2. Early warning: Early warning systems, such as flood forecasts and flood watches, can help to alert communities to the risk of a flood and allow them to take preventive action.
3. Evacuation: Evacuating people from flood-prone areas to higher ground or designated emergency shelters is a critical step in reducing the impact of floods.
4. Rescue and search and rescue operations: Search and rescue operations can help to locate and rescue people who are trapped by floods, and provide medical assistance to those who are injured.
5. Relief and recovery: Providing disaster relief and recovery support to affected communities, such as food, shelter, and medical assistance, is a critical step in reducing the impact of floods.
6. Rehabilitation and reconstruction: Rehabilitating and reconstructing damaged infrastructure and homes is a key step in reducing the impact of floods and helping communities to recover.
7. Mitigation: Implementing flood mitigation measures, such as improving land use practices, building flood-resistant structures, and creating flood control systems, can help to reduce the risk of future floods.

It is important to consider a combination of these steps in disaster management response to floods, as different measures may be more effective in different areas and circumstances. Additionally, it is important to plan and prepare for floods in advance, so that the necessary measures can be put in place before a flood occurs. Some of the major aspects are discussed in detail below.

Response mechanism

Fighting floods requires a coordinated response from multiple agencies, including emergency management, local governments, and community organizations. Here are some of the key steps in the response method to fight floods:

1. Emergency management: The emergency management agency plays a critical role in responding to floods. This includes activating emergency response plans, coordinating rescue and evacuation efforts, and providing resources and support to affected communities.
2. Evacuation: Evacuating people from flood-prone areas to higher ground or designated emergency shelters is a critical step in reducing the impact of floods.
3. Rescue and search and rescue operations: Search and rescue operations can help to locate and rescue people who are trapped by floods, and provide medical assistance to those who are injured.
4. Sandbagging and flood barriers: Sandbagging and other flood barriers can be used to reduce the risk of flooding and protect critical infrastructure, such as homes and businesses.
5. Debris removal: Clearing flood-damaged debris from roads and other public spaces is a critical step in reducing the impact of floods and helping communities to recover.
6. Water treatment and pumping: Providing clean water to affected communities and removing floodwater from impacted areas is a critical step in reducing the impact of floods and preventing the spread of waterborne diseases.
7. Temporary housing and shelter: Providing temporary housing and shelter to people who have been displaced by floods is a critical step in reducing the impact of floods and helping communities to recover.
8. Health and medical support: Providing medical support, including medical treatment and vaccinations, is a critical step in reducing the impact of floods and preventing the spread of waterborne diseases.

It is important to consider a combination of these steps in the response method to fight floods, as different measures may be more effective in different areas and circumstances. Additionally, it is important to plan and prepare for floods in advance, so that the necessary measures can be put in place before a flood occurs.

Recovery mechanism

Recovering from floods is a complex and long-term process that requires a coordinated effort from multiple agencies, including local governments, non-profit organizations, and community groups. Here are some of the key steps in the recovery mechanism in case of floods:

1. Damage assessment: Assessing the extent of damage caused by floods is a critical step in the recovery process. This includes evaluating the impact on homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and utilities.
2. Temporary housing and shelter: Providing temporary housing and shelter to people who have been displaced by floods is a critical step in reducing the impact of floods and helping communities to recover.
3. Debris removal: Clearing flood-damaged debris from roads and other public spaces is a critical step in reducing the impact of floods and helping communities to recover.
4. Restoration of utilities: Restoring electricity, water, and other critical utilities is a critical step in the recovery process.
5. Repair and rebuilding: Repairing and rebuilding damaged homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure is a critical step in the recovery process.
6. Financial assistance: Providing financial assistance to affected individuals and businesses can help to reduce the impact of floods and support recovery efforts.
7. Health and medical support: Providing medical support, including medical treatment and vaccinations, is a critical step in reducing the impact of floods and preventing the spread of waterborne diseases.
8. Mental health support: Providing mental health support to individuals affected by floods is a critical step in reducing the impact of floods and helping communities to recover.

It is important to consider a combination of these steps in the recovery mechanism in case of floods, as different measures may be more effective in different areas and circumstances. Additionally, it is important to plan and prepare for floods in advance, so that the necessary measures can be put in place before a flood occurs.

Mitigation mechanism

Mitigating the impact of floods requires a comprehensive approach that considers both short-term and long-term measures. Here are some of the key steps in the mitigation mechanism in case of floods:

1. Land-use planning: Incorporating flood risk into land-use planning can help to reduce the impact of floods by ensuring that new development is located in areas that are less vulnerable to flooding.
2. Floodplain management: Implementing effective floodplain management policies and practices, such as zoning and building codes, can help to reduce the impact of floods by limiting development in flood-prone areas.
3. Flood warning systems: Implementing early warning systems, such as flood prediction models and real-time monitoring, can help to reduce the impact of floods by providing advanced warning of impending floods.
4. Flood protection structures: Constructing flood protection structures, such as levees, dams, and dikes, can help to reduce the impact of floods by limiting the extent of flooding in vulnerable areas.
5. Floodplain restoration: Restoring and preserving floodplains, such as wetlands and other natural habitats, can help to reduce the impact of floods by reducing runoff and promoting infiltration.
6. Public education and awareness: Providing public education and awareness about the risks of floods and how to prepare can help to reduce the impact of floods by increasing community resilience.
7. Insurance: Encouraging the use of flood insurance can help to reduce the impact of floods by providing financial assistance to individuals and businesses affected by floods.

It is important to consider a combination of these steps in the mitigation mechanism in case of floods, as different measures may be more effective in different areas and circumstances. Additionally, it is important to plan and prepare for floods in advance, so that the necessary measures can be put in place before a flood occurs.

Preparedness mechanism

Preparation is a crucial aspect of reducing the impact of floods and protecting lives and property. Here are some key steps in the preparation mechanism for floods:

1. Conduct a risk assessment: Assess the flood risk in your community and determine which areas are most vulnerable to flooding.
2. Develop an evacuation plan: Develop an evacuation plan in case of a flood, including identifying evacuation routes and safe locations.
3. Prepare an emergency supply kit: Prepare an emergency supply kit that includes food, water, first aid supplies, and other essential items.
4. Protect your property: Make sure that your property is protected from potential flood damage by installing flood barriers and moving important items to higher ground.
5. Stay informed: Stay informed about the latest flood forecasts and warnings, and follow the advice of local authorities.
6. Participate in community flood preparedness activities: Participate in community flood preparedness activities, such as drills and exercises, to practice what to do in case of a flood.
7. Review insurance coverage: Review your insurance coverage to ensure that you have adequate coverage for flood damage.

By preparing in advance, you can reduce the impact of floods on your community and ensure that you are ready to respond in case of a flood.

Floods in Assam (2017 and 2019)

The state of Assam in India is prone to annual floods during the monsoon season, which typically occurs from June to September. The floods of 2017 and 2019 were particularly devastating, affecting millions of people and causing widespread damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and wildlife.

In 2017, the flood was caused by heavy rainfall that caused the Brahmaputra River and its tributaries to overflow, leading to widespread inundation of low-lying areas. The flood affected over 4 million people and caused widespread damage to crops, homes, and infrastructure. Over 100 people were killed and more than 200,000 were displaced. The state government declared a state of emergency and launched relief and rescue operations.

Figure 2. Houses submerged during Assam floods

In 2019, the flood situation in Assam was even more severe, affecting more than 13 million people and causing widespread devastation. The heavy rainfall was again a major contributor, but the construction of dams upstream in China and inadequate drainage in Assam also contributed to the severity of the flood. The floodwaters caused widespread damage to crops, homes, and infrastructure, and displaced more than 2 million people. Over 100 people were killed and thousands of animals were affected, including rhinos in the famous Kaziranga National Park.

In response to the 2017 and 2019 floods, the government of Assam launched various relief and rehabilitation measures, including financial assistance to families affected by the floods, and the construction of flood shelters and embankments to prevent future inundation. Additionally, efforts have been made to improve the overall drainage system in the state to reduce the impact of future floods. In conclusion, the floods in Assam in 2017 and 2019 were a reminder of the state's vulnerability to extreme weather events and the need for improved flood management and mitigation measures.