DISASTER MITIGATION – FLOOD

Mitigation means reducing risk of loss from the occurrence of any undesirable event. This is an important element
for any insurance business so as to avoid unnecessary losses. Description: In general, mitigation means to
minimize degree of any loss or harm.

FLOOD
Principle causes and Types
 Areal
 Riverine
 Estuarine and coastal
 Urban flooding
 Catastrophic
Areal

 Happens mostly in plain areas when water because of rainfall or snowmelt is more rapidly than its can
absorb or run off.

Riverine

Due to slow or rapid rise of river water levels due to prolong or heavy rainfall.
Estuarine and Coastal

Caused by tidal surges due to winds and also by tropical cyclone or an extra-tropical cyclone

Urban Flooding

Catastrophic

Catastrophic flooding is usually associated with major infrastructure failures such as the collapse of a dam, which
are sometimes caused by either earthquakes and volcanic

Effects: Primary

Damage to buildings and other structures, including bridges, sewerage systems, roadways, and canals

Mobility Issues in terms of people and goods

Effects: Secondary long term effect:

Lack of food and clean drinking waters

Rapid spreading of water borne diseases and illness

Loss of crop and cattle

Waste and garbage disposal issues

A disaster is a situation in which the community is incapable of coping. It is a natural or human-caused event
which causes intense negative impacts on people, goods, services and/or the environment, exceeding the affected
community’s capability to respond; therefore the community seeks the assistance of government and international
agencies

Mitigation: Measures put in place to minimize the results from a disaster. Examples: building codes and zoning;
vulnerability analyses; public education.

Preparedness: Planning how to respond. Examples: preparedness plans; emergency exercises/training; warning
systems.

Response: Initial actions taken as the event takes place. It involves efforts to minimize the hazards created by a
disaster. Examples: evacuation; search and rescue; emergency relief.

Recovery: Returning the community to normal.

Ideally, the affected area should be put in a condition equal to or better than it was before the disaster took place.
Examples: temporary housing; grants; medical care.

STAGE 1: DISASTER MITIGATION

Structural mitigation – construction projects which reduce economic and social impacts
i.e. dams, windbreaks, terracing and hazard resistant buildings.
Non-structural activities – policies and practices which raise awareness of hazards or encourage developments to
reduce the impact of disasters

Mitigation include:

Reviewing building codes.

Vulnerability analysis updates.
Zoning and land-use management and planning.
Reviewing of building use regulations and safety codes.
Implementing preventative health measures
Political intervention and commitment
Public awareness .

STRATEGIES

1. Hazard identification and vulnerability analysis.

2. Various mitigation strategies or measures- For instance, varieties of crops that are more wind, flood or
drought resistant can often be introduced in areas prone to floods, drought and cyclones, Economic
diversification.

DISASTER MITIGATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Investment in infrastructure to support sustainable socioeconomic development

Investment in infrastructure for reconstruction and recovery.
i. A backup generator is available in case of power
failure and that a battery-operated radio .
ii. A backup copy of all critical information
iii. The preliminary design should take into consideration the prevalent hazards and methods to avoid or to
minimize the effects of the extreme natural events.
iv. Strengthening vulnerable areas such as roofs, exterior doors, windows, and garage doors

DISASTER DEVELOPMENT

1. Disasters set back development programming, destroying years of development initiatives.

 2. Rebuilding after a disaster provides significant opportunities to initiate development programmes
3. Development programmes can increase an area’s susceptibility to disasters
4. Development programmes can be designed to decrease the susceptibility to disasters and their negative
consequences.

DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES FOR COUNTRIES FACED WITH DISASTERS.

Partnership-close collaboration among donors, governments, communities, nongovernmental organizations, the

private sector, and universities

Flexibility-. Development agencies must be efficient and flexible; adaptable to local environments and capable of
adjusting to changing conditions and seizing opportunities when they arise.

Selectivity-resources are the public asset that must be invested prudently to achieve maximum impact.

PHASE II: Preparedness

Preparedness measures include:

I. Preparedness plans
II. Emergency exercises/training
III. Warning systems
IV. Emergency communications systems
V. Evacuations plans and training
VI. Resource inventories
VII. Emergency personnel/contact list.
VIII. Mutual aid agreements
IX. Public information/education

IMPORTANT AREAS

Develop and test warning systems regularly and plan measures to be taken during a disaster alert period to
minimize potential loss of life and physical damage.
1. Educate and train officials and the population at
2. risk to respond to the disaster.
3. Train first-aid and emergency response teams.
4. Establish emergency response policies, standards, organizational arrangements and operational plans to
be followed by emergency workers and other response entities after a disaster.