Natural Disaster
FLOODS
P.NAGARJUNA REDDY
Origin
Prolonged Severe Monsoon Tropical Snow melt Dam Storm
or very thunder rains cyclones failure surge
heavy storms involving
rainfall rapid
seawater
flooding
Common types of flooding in India
• Slow onset floods
• Rapid onset floods
• Flash floods
Causes inconvenience, closing small
Minor flooding roads and low-level bridges
Low-lying areas inundated, requiring
Moderate flooding removal of stock, equipment and
evacuation of isolated homes
Major flooding
Higher areas inundated, towns and
properties isolated and extensive
Flood
damage
Warnings
Intense rainfall, some high run-off
Local flooding but usually no flooding in main
streams
Significant river rises Flood levels in main streams
Recent floods in India
• August 2018 Kerala Flood: Following high rain in late July 2018 and heavy Monsoon
rainfall from August 8, 2018, severe flooding affected the Indian state of Kerala
resulting over 445 deaths.
• August 2017 : Nepal and India floods
• 2017 Gujarat flood: Following heavy rain in July 2017, Gujarat state of India was
affected by the severe flood resulting in more than 200 deaths.
• 2016 Assam floods: Heavy rains in July–August resulted in floods affecting 1.8 million
people and flooding the Kaziranga National Park killing around 200 wild animals.
• 2015 South Indian floods:Heavy rain in Nov-Dec 2015 resulted in flooding of Adyar,
Cooum rivers in Chennai, Tamil Nadu resulting in financial loss and human lives.
Recent floods in India
• July 2015 Gujarat flood: Heavy rain in July 2015 resulted in widespread flood in north Gujarat
resulting in more than 70 deaths.
• June 2015 Gujarat flood: Heavy rain in June 2015 resulted in widespread flood in Saurashtra region of
Gujarat resulting in more than 70 deaths. The wild life of Gir Forest National Park and adjoining area
was also affected.
• June 2013 North Indian floods: Heavy rain due to cloudburst caused severe floods and landslides on
the North Indian states, mainly Uttarakhand and nearby states. More than 5,700 people were
presumed dead
• July 2005 Mumbai: Heavy rains across the state of Maharashtra, including large areas of the
metropolis Mumbai which received 944 mm (39.1 inches) alone on 26 July 2005 killed at-least 1,094
people. The day is still remembered as the day Mumbai came to a standstill, as the city faced worst
ever rain. Mumbai International Airport remained closed for 30 hours, Mumbai-Pune Expressway was
closed for 24 hours with public property loss was estimated at ₹550 crore (US$77 million).
Few illustrations of floods
Advices for INDIVIDUALS
• Listen to your local radio for information. Check that your neighbors know of the warning
• Stock your furniture and possessions above the flood level ( on beds and roofs) with
electrical equipment on top. Secure heavy objects that could float and cause damage. Board
up windows
• Move garbage, chemicals, poisons, fuel etc. to a high secure place. Secure all loose objects
located outside
• Protect/relocate stock and equipment in commercial/industrial premises. Disconnect
utilities, which are not absolutely essential.
• If on a farm, move livestock to high ground
• Check any battery powered equipment and backup power sources.
Advices for INDIVIDUALS
• Store drinking water in clean receptacles. Take inventory of supplies such as
food, first aid items and blankets.
• Prepare to evacuate, if directed. If a flash flood warning is issued, get out of
the area immediately.
• If driving, know the depth of the water in a dip or low area before crossing. If
vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. Do not try to
cross a stream on foot if water is above your knees.
• Do not re-enter the affected area until directed.
If possible, empty freezers and
Empty refrigerators leaving the doors open.
Measures
Place a sandbag in the toilet bowl to
before Place prevent backflow of sewage.
EVACUATION
Turn off electricity, gas and water. Don’t
Turn off forget your emergency kit.
Keep your emergency kit safe and dry.
Do not eat food, which has been in contact with flood water and boil all
water until supplies have been declared safe.
Don’t use gas or electrical appliances, which have been flood-affected, until
checked for safety.
Measures
Beware of snakes and spiders, which may have moved into drier areas in during
your house.
Avoid wading, even in shallow water as it is contaminated. If required,
and after
wear solid shoes before checking depth and flow
flood
Keep listening to your local radio or TV station and heed all warnings and
advice
Check with police for safe routes before driving anywhere.
Convening a meeting of district level committee on natural calamities
Closure of past breaches in river and canal embankments and guarding weak
points.
Action plan of
government Communication of gauge readings and preparation of maps and charts
agencies for Dissemination of weather reports and flood bulletins issued by the
Pre-flood meteorological centers, central water commission, flood forecasting
organization.
arrangements
Arrangement for keeping telephone and telegraph lines in order.
Arrangement of dry food stuff and other necessities of life.
Agricultural measures
Veterinary measures
Advance arrangements for army assistance
Action plan of
government agencies Organization of relief parties
for
Pre-flood Alternative drinking water supply arrangements
arrangements(contd.)
Functioning of control rooms
Rain recording and submission of rainfall reports
Assigning charge of flood circles
Use of power boats deployment of boats at strategic points
Installation of temporary police wireless stations and temporary telephones in
flood-prone areas
Storage of food in interior, vulnerable strategic and key areas
Action plan of Arrangements for keeping the drainage system desilted and properly
government agencies maintained
for
Pre-flood Health measures
arrangements(contd.)
Selection of flood shelters
Training in flood relief work
Other precautionary measures
Organizing rescue operations
Organizing shelter for the people in distress (civil and army
assistance)
Relief measures by non-official and voluntary organizations may be Arrangements
enlisted as far as possible
by Authorities
Organize relief camps
During and
After Floods
Provision of basic amenities like drinking water, sanitation and public
health care and arrangements of cooked food in the relief camps
Making necessary arrangements for air dropping of food packets in
the marooned villages through helicopters
Organizing enough relief parties to the rescue of the
marooned people within a reasonable time limit
Establish alternate communication links to have effective
communication with marooned areas
Arrangements
Organizing controlled kitchens to supply foods initially at
least for three days by Authorities
During and
Organizing animal camps and provide veterinary care,
fodder to affected animals After Floods
(contd.)
Grant of emergency relief to all the affected people
Submission of daily reports and disseminate correct
information through mass media to avoid rumors
Rehabilitation of homeless
Commencement of agricultural activities-distillation, re-
sowing
Arrangements
by Authorities
Repairs and reconstructions of infrastructural facilities such
as roads, embankments, resettlement of flood prone areas During and
After Floods
Health measures
(contd.)
Relief for economic reconstruction
Homework
• What are the various factors that are responsible for the origin of floods?
• What are the precautions to be taken during the flash floods?
