WHAT IS FLOOD ?

❖ A flood is an overflow of water that submerges or drowns land.

❖ Unusual high stage in a river.
❖ Significance : Damage in terms of life, economic and property.
EFFECTS OF A FLOOD

❖ Loss of human life

❖ Damage to property
❖ Destruction of crops
❖ Loss of livestocks
❖ Deterioration of health conditions (waterborne diseases)
1. PRIMARY EFFECTS :
● Physical damage : bridges, cars, buildings, sewer system, roadway, canals etc
● Casualties : people and livestock die due to drowning, epidemics and diseases
1. SECONDARY EFFECTS:
● Water supplies : contamination of water, clean drinking water becomes scarce
● Diseases : water-borne diseases, unhygienic conditions
● Crops and food supplies : shortage due to loss of harvest
1. TERTIARY EFFECTS:
● Economic : rebuilding costs, food shortage leads to price increase, temporary decline
in tourism etc.
CAUSES OF FLOOD

NATURAL :

● Heavy rain
● Overflow of rivers
● Climate change
● Snowmelt

MANMADE :

● Collapsed dams
● Deforestation
● Emission of greenhouse gases
● Other factors : broken supply lines, improper sewage systems etc.
1. FLASH FLOODING : Flashing flooding is usually
unexpected and caused by sudden heavy rainfall. Natural events
may be responsible for most flash flooding, this can be worsened
in urban areas where large concrete areas hamper the grounds
natural absorption of rainwater.
2. COASTAL FLOODING : Occurs when low lying coastal
land is flooded by sweater from Heavy storms and extreme weather
conditions that cause higher tide.
3. RIVER FLOODING : Caused when rivers overflow due to
high rainfall and spill onto the floodplain.
4. GROUNDWATER FLOODING : Caused by prolonged
periods of rainfall when underground water level rises above their
normal levels and reaches surface.
5. SEWER FLOODING : This is one of the worst types of
flooding to recover from as it can contain raw sewage which has
serious environmental and health implications. This can usually
happen after a failure to the sewage system
6. BURN SCARS: As if summer wildfires were not damaging
enough, they often deliver a second wave of destruction, ironically,
in the form of flooding. When a hillside or mountain has had
extensive fire damage, waters from a normally harmless rain or
thunderstorm collect in the “burnscar” and come crashing across
highways and into buildings and homes as violent, black floods.

7. STORM SURGE: Flooding during a storm surge is

extremely dangerous, capable of inundating large coastal regions.
When a hurricane strikes land during a new or full moon, the high
tide, the winds, the waves, and low atmospheric pressure combine
to create a surge that can flood areas lying as high as 20 feet above
sea level.

8. INLAND FLOOD:When rain or excessive snowmelt

accumulates over several days, or severe rains fall over a short
period of time, normally safe areas away from lakes and rivers can
become flooded by rising water tables. Even homes on hillsides are
susceptible to basement flooding when heavy rains become rivulets
running through streets and yards.
 FLOOD PREPAREDNESS
• BEFORE A FLOOD :

• Build an emergency kit and make a family communications plan.

• Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your

home.

• Elevate the furnace, water heater and electric panel in your home
• if you live in an area that has a high flood risk. Consider installing
• "check valves" to prevent flood water from backing up into the
drains
• of your home.

• If feasible, construct barriers to stop floodwater from entering the

building and seal walls in basements with waterproofing
compounds.
DURING A FLOOD :
● If a flood is likely in your area, you should:
● Listen to the radio or television for information.
● Be aware that flash flooding can occur. If there is any
possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher
ground. Do not wait for instructions to move.
● Be aware of stream, drainage channels, canyons and
other areas known to flood suddenly. Flash floods can
occur in these areas with or without typical warnings
such as rain clouds or heavy rain.

If you must prepare to evacuate, you should do the following:

● Secure your home. If you have time, bring in outdoor

furniture. Move essential items to an upper floor.
● Turn off utilities at the main switches or valves if
instructed to do so.
● Disconnect electrical appliances.
● Do not touch electrical equipment if you are wet or
standing in water.
● Do not walk through moving water. Six inches of moving
water can make you fall. If you have to walk in water,
walk where the water is not moving. Use a stick to check
the firmness of the ground in front of you.
 AFTER THE FLOOD:
• Avoid moving water.
• Stay away from damaged areas unless your assistance has been specifically requested by
police, fire, or relief organization.
• Emergency workers will be assisting people in flooded areas. You can help them by staying
off the roads and out of the way.
• Play it safe. Additional flooding or flash floods can occur. Listen for local warnings and
information.
• If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, get out immediately and climb to higher ground.
Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.
• Roads may still be closed because they have been damaged or are covered by water.
Barricades have been placed for your protection. If you come upon a barricade or a flooded
road, go another way.

• If you must walk or drive in areas that have been flooded.

Stay on firm ground. Moving water only 6 inches deep can sweep you off your feet. Standing water may be electrically charged from
underground or downed power lines.
• Flooding may have caused familiar places to change. Floodwaters often erode roads and walkways. Flood debris may hide animals
• and broken bottles, and it's also slippery. Avoid walking or driving through it.
• Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded. Roads may have weakened and could collapse under the weight of a car.
• Stay out of any building if it is surrounded by floodwaters.
• Use extreme caution when entering buildings; there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations.
• Listen for news reports to learn whether the community’s water supply is safe to drink.
• Avoid flood waters; water may be contaminated by oil, gasoline, or raw sewage.
• Water may also be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines.
KERALA FLOOD 2018

KERALA EXPERIENCED AN UNPRECEDENTED TORRENTIAL RAINFALL

WHICH CAUSED A MASSIVE FLOOD IN SEVERAL DISTRICTS IN 2018.

INTENSITY OF RAINFALL WAS 200-250 cm THAT IS 30% ABOVE THE

ANNUAL AVERAGE.

THE STATE REPORTED-

453 DEATHS AND 140 PERSONS AS MISSING
DAMAGES WORTH RS 31,000 CRORE CAUSED BY THE FLOODS
AROUND 15,632 HOUSES WERE FULLY DAMAGED
3,06,766 HOUSES PARTIALLY DAMAGED
THE FLOODS SUBMERGED 140,000 HA OF AGRICULTURE LAND
CAUSING A DAMAGE OF RS 6,700 CRORE

EIGHT DISTRICTS, PATHANAMTHITTA, ALAPPUZHA, KOTTAYAM,

IDUKKI , ERNAKULAM, PALAKKAD, WAYANAD AND THRISSUR,
REPORTED MAXIMUM LOSS.
 CAUSES

NATURAL MANMADE

DEFORESTATION
UNUSUALLY SHORT BREAK
BETWEEN RAINS UNAUTHORISED
CONSTRUCTIONS
HEAVY RAINFALL IN A SHORT
PERIOD OF TIME QUARRYING

CLIMATE CHANGE LEVELING AND DISTROYING

WETLANDS AND FARMLANDS
• THERE'S A NEED TO ADAPT TO ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY LIFESTYLES FOR SURVIVAL

• BETTER PREPAREDNESS AND QUICK RESPONSE IS THE NEED OF THE HOUR

• A STRONG BOND WITHIN THE COMMUNITY IS ESSENTIAL IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

• DRASTIC CHANGES IN LAND PATTERN AND LAND USE SHOULD BE AVOIDED

• WE NEED TO PROTECT WETLANDS AND WATER CHANNELS TO AVOID FLOODS

• DAM MANAGEMENT NEEDS TO BE MORE SCIENTIFIC DURING MONSOONS

• MINING OPERATIONS SHOULD BE BANNED IN ECOLOGICALLY FRAGILE AREAS

• THERE'S A NEED TO DEVELOP RESPONSIBLE HOUSE CONSTRUCTION MODULES

PREPAREDNESS TAKEN BY KERALA

The Kerala State Disaster

Management Authority (KSDMA)
has operationalised its new disaster
preparedness guidelines for the
rainy season.

The ‘Monsoon preparedness and

emergency response plan,’ a first-
of-its kind document for the State
for handling emergencies during the
two monsoons, has been sent to all

District Collectors, heads of State

government departments/ agencies
Central agencies, including defense
forces stationed in the State.
GUIDELINES ON DAMS

● Initial warning at
least 36 hours before
releasing water from
dams
● 24-hour gap between
the sounding of first and
third alert
● No discharge of water
from dams between 6
p.m. and 6 a.m.
● To be implemented by
the Irrigation
Department, Kerala
State Electricity Board,
and the Kerala Water
Authority
Dam inspection
● The PWD should conduct structural audits of all bridges ahead of the monsoons. Recommendations
on traffic regulations on weak bridges should be submitted to district-level disaster management
authorities.
● The Fisheries Department has been asked to ensure the availability of speed boats to enable quick
search and rescue at sea.
● The Local Self-Government Department should ensure the removal of trees, hoardings and old utility
posts that pose a threat during heavy rains and winds.
● The Health Department should take steps to prevent epidemics and stock medicines in all hospitals.
Similarly, the Animal Husbandry Department should prevent the emergence of zoonotic diseases
during the monsoon months.
● The Revenue Department has been asked to appoint an officer not below the rank of deputy
tahsildar at its State-level control room. Among other things, the department should also identify
buildings that can be used as shelters in an emergency.