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CONTENTS
Chapters

o Introduction o Cause o Flood and impact o Long term effect o Relief efforts o Remedies

2-3 3-4 4-5 6-8 9-16 16-21

Flood in Pakistan
The 2010 Pakistan floods began in late July 2010 and my bum resulting from heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sind, Punjab and Baluchistan regions of Pakistan and affected the Indus River basin. Approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land area was underwater, approximately 796,095 square kilometers (307,374 sq mi). According to Pakistani government data the floods directly affected about 20 million people, mostly by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure, A NASA satellite image showing the Indus River at the time of with a death toll of close to floods 2,000. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon had initially asked for US$460 million (420 million) for emergency relief, noting that the flood was the worst disaster he had ever seen. Only 20% of the relief funds requested had been received as of 15 August 2010. The Organization reported that ten million people were forced to drink unsafe water. The Pakistani economy was harmed by extensive damage to infrastructure and crops. Damage to structures was estimated to exceed US$4 billion (2.5 billion), and wheat crop damages were estimated to be over US$500 million (425 million). Total economic impact may have been as much as US$43 billion (35 billion). Monsoon rains were forecasted to continue into early August and were described as the worst in this area in the last 80 years. The Pakistan

Meteorological Department reported that over 200 millimeters (7.9 in) of rain fell over a 24-hour period in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. A record-breaking 274 millimeters (10.8 in) rain fell in Peshawar during 24 hours; the previous record was 187 millimeters (7.4 in) of rain in April 2009. As of 30 July, 500,000 or more people had been displaced from their homes. On 30 July, Manuel Bessler, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stated that 36 districts were involved, and 950,000 people were affected, although within a day, reports increased that number to as high as a million, and by mid-August they increased the number to nearly 20 million affected.

Cause
The floods were driven by unprecedented monsoon rain. The rainfall anomaly map published by NASA showed unusually intense monsoon rains attributed to La Nia. On 21 June, the Pakistan Meteorological Department cautioned that urban and flash flooding could occur from July to September in the north parts of the country. The same department recorded above-average rainfall in the months of July and August 2010 and monitored the flood wave progression. Discharge levels were comparable to those of the floods of 1988, 1995, and 1997. The monsoon rainfall of 2010, over whole country, was excess of 87 per cent and was highest since 1994 and ranked second highest during last 50 years of period. An article in the New Scientist and my bum attributed the cause of the exceptional rainfall to "freezing" of the jet stream, a phenomenon that reportedly also caused unprecedented heat waves and wildfires in Russia as well as the 2007 United Kingdom floods. In response to previous Indus River floods in 1973 and 1976, Pakistan created the Federal Flood Commission (FFC) in 1977. The FFC operates under Pakistan's Ministry of Water and Power. It is charged with executing flood control projects and protecting lives and property of Pakistanis from the impact of floods. Since its inception the FFC has received Rs 87.8 billion (about 900 million USD). FFC documents show that numerous projects were initiated, funded and completed, but

reports indicate that little work has actually been done due to ineffective leadership and corruption.

Flooding and Impact

Monsoon rains were forecasted to continue into early August and were described as the worst in this area in the last 80 years. The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported that over 200 millimeters (7.9 in) of rain fell over a 24-hour period in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. A recordbreaking 274 millimeters (10.8 in) rain fell in Peshawar during 24 hours; the previous record was 187 millimeters (7.4 in) of rain in April 2009. As of 30 July, 500,000 or more people had been displaced from their homes. On 30 July, Manuel Bessler, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stated that 36 districts were involved, and 950,000 people were affected, although within a day, reports increased that number to as high as a million, and by mid-August they increased the number to nearly 20 million affected. By mid-August, according to the governmental Federal Flood Commission (FFC), the floods had caused the deaths of at least 1,540 people, while 2,088 people had received injuries, 557,226 houses had

been destroyed, and over 6 million people had been displaced. One month later, the tally had risen to 1,781 deaths, 2,966 people with injuries, and more than 1.89 million homes destroyed. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial minister of information, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, said "the infrastructure of this province was already destroyed by terrorism. Whatever was left was finished off by these floods." He also called the floods "the worst calamity in our history." Four million Pakistanis were left with food shortages. The Karakoram Highway, which connects Pakistan with China, was closed after a bridge was destroyed. The ongoing devastating floods in Pakistan will have a severe impact on an already vulnerable population, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In addition to all the other damage the floods caused, floodwater destroyed much of the health care infrastructure in the worst-affected areas, leaving inhabitants especially vulnerable to water-borne disease. In Sindh, the Indus River burst its banks near Sukkur on 8 August, submerging the village of Mor Khan Jatoi. Law and order disappeared, mainly in Sindh. Looters took advantage of the floods by ransacking abandoned homes using boats. In early August, the heaviest flooding moved southward along the Indus River from severely affected northern regions toward western Punjab, where at least 1,400,000 acres (570,000 ha) of cropland were destroyed, and toward the southern province of Sindh. The affected crops included cotton, sugarcane, rice, pulses, tobacco and animal fodder. Floodwaters and rain destroyed 700,000 acres (3,000 km2) of cotton, 200,000 acres (800 km2) acres each of rice and cane, 500,000 tonnes of wheat and 300,000 acres (1,000 km2) of animal fodder. According to the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association, the floods destroyed 2 million bales of cotton, which increased futures prices. 170,000 citizens (or 70% of the population) of the historic Sindh town of Thatta fled advancing flood waters on 27 August. By mid-September the floods generally had began to recede, although in some areas, such as Sindh, new floods were reported; the majority of the displaced persons had not been able to return home.

Long term effect

Food
Floods submerged 17 million acres (69,000 km2) of Pakistan's most fertile crop land, killed 200,000 livestock and washed away massive amounts of grain. A major concern was that farmers would be unable to meet the fall deadline for planting new seeds in 2010, which implied a loss of food production in 2011, and potential long term food shortages. The agricultural damage reached more than 2.9 billion dollars, and included over 700,000 acres (2,800 km2) of lost cotton crops, 200,000 acres (810 km2) of sugar cane and 200,000 acres (810 km2) of rice, in addition to the loss of over 500,000 tonnes of stocked wheat, 300,000 acres (1,200 km2) of animal fodder and the stored grain losses. Agricultural crops such as cotton, rice, and sugarcane and to some extent mangoes were badly affected in Punjab, according to a Harvest Tradings-Pakistan spokesman. He called for the international community to fully participate in the rehabilitation process, as well as for the revival of agricultural crops in order to get better GDP growth in the future. In affected Multan Division in South Punjab, some people were seen to be engaging in price-gouging in this disaster, raising prices up to Rs 130/kg. Some called for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited to write off all agricultural loans in the affected areas in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa especially for small farmers. On 24 September the World Food Programme announced that about 70% of Pakistan's population, mostly in rural areas, did not have adequate access to proper nutrition. Already resurgent in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, agricultural devastation brought on by the floods left Pakistan more susceptible to an increase in poppy cultivation, given the crop's resiliency and relatively few inputs

Infrastructure
Floods damaged an estimated 2,433 miles (3,916 km) of highway and 3,508 miles (5,646 km) of railway and repairs are expected to cost at least 158 million USD and 131 million USD, respectively. Public building damage is estimated at 1 billion USD. Aid donors estimate that 5,000 schools were destroyed

Political effects
The floods' aftermath was thought likely contributed to public perception of inefficiency and to political unrest. These political effects of the floods were compared with that of the 1970 Bhola cyclone. The skepticism within the country extended to outside donors. Less than 20% of the pledged aid was scheduled to go through the government, according to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, with the remainder flowing through non-governmental organizations. The government's response was complicated by insurgencies (in Balochistan and Waziristan), growing urban sectarian discord, increasing suicide bombings against core institutions and relations with India.

Economic
effects
On 7 September 2010, the International Labor Organization reported that the floods had cost more than 5.3 million jobs, stating that "productive and labor

intensive job creation programmes are urgently needed to lift millions of people out of poverty that has been aggravated by flood damage". Forecasts estimated that the GDP growth rate of 4% prior to the floods would turn to -2% to -5% followed by several additional years of below-trend growth. As a result, Pakistan was unlikely to meet the International Monetary Fund's target budget deficit cap of 5.1% of GDP, and the existing $55 billion of external debt was set to grow. Crop losses were expected to impact textile manufacturing, Pakistan's largest export sector. The loss of over 10 million head of livestock along with the loss of other crops would reduce agricultural production by more than 15%. Toyota and Unilever Pakistan said that the floods would sap growth, necessitating production cuts as people coped with the destruction. Parvez Ghias, the chief executive of Pakistan's largest automotor manufacturer Toyota, described the economy's state as "fragile". Nationwide car sales were predicted to fall as much as 25%, forcing automakers to reduce production in October2010 from the prior level of 200 cars per day. Milk supplies fell by 15%, which caused the retail price of milk to increase by Pk Rs 4 (5 US cents) per liter

Outbreak of Dengue Fever

Heavy rain falls and the current floods in Pakistan are providing a breeding ground for the mosquitoes which has thus resulted in an outbreak of dengue virus across the country. The disease makes regular appearances at this time of year after monsoon rains have provided plenty of breeding sites for mosquitoes. But this years outbreak is particularly virulent, especially in Lahore, where most of the cases have been reported.

Pakistan is already coping with flooding that has killed more than 225 people in recent weeks. Experts say poor hygiene is responsible for the spread of the disease, but heavy monsoon rains are also providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes, carriers of dengue fever which has

resulted in the death of over a dozen and officially more than 3,500 people have been infected and the number is still growing.

Relief Efforts
Relief by UN
By the end of July 2010, Pakistan had appealed to international donors for help in responding to the disaster, having provided twenty-one helicopters and 150 boats to assist affected people, according to its National Disaster Management Authority. At that time the US embassy in Pakistan had provided seven helicopters. The United Nations launched its relief effortsand appealed for US$460 million (420 milion) to provide immediate help, including food, shelter and clean water. On August 14, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Pakistan to oversee and discuss the relief efforts. A Pakistani army spokesman said that troops had been deployed in all affected areas and had rescued thousands of people. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani visited the province and directed the Pakistan Navy to help evacuate the flood victims. By early August, more than 352,291 people have been rescued. By the end of August, the Relief Web Financial Tracking service indicated that worldwide donations for humanitarian assistance had come to $687 million, with a further $324 million promised in uncommitted pledges. At that time, the Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) stated that Muslim countries, organizations and individuals had pledged close to US$1 billion (950 billion) to assist in Pakistans flood emergency, a statement placed in doubt by findings from the UN Financial Tracking Service, which indicated that only three of the OIC's 56 member states - Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Kuwait - had pledged more than single digit millions. Pakistans Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani stated that

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by the end of August, Saudi Arabia's support exceeded that of the US, yet both UN data and data from Pakistan's Disaster Management Authority failed to support this claim. With need for substantial support to repair infrastructure, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton suggested that the Pakistani government enlarge its tax base by asking the wealthy citizens of Pakistan to contribute more for their country; by that time both the US and the EU each had contributed about US$450 million, 395 million for the relief effort. According to UNOCHA, by November 2010, a total of close to $1.792 million (1 million) had been committed in humanitarian support, the largest amount by the US (30.7%), followed by private individuals and organizations (17.5%) and Saudi Arabia (13.5%).

Relief by China
China has so far provided 320 million yuan (47.1 million USD) worth of humanitarian supplies to Pakistan in four batches with $200 million USD more aid promised by Premier Wen Jiabao. Which will total 1.86 billion yuan (274 million USD). "As Pakistan's neighbor and all-weather friend, China empathizes with Pakistan on the heavy casualties and property loss caused by the natural disasters," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu. It initially announced that it would provide emergency aid worth 10 million yuan (approx. US$ 1.48 million) to help the flood-victims. The People's Liberation Army donated another 10 million yuan to Pakistan. The Chinese Red Cross has also given $50,000 USD in cash to Pakistan. The Chinese ambassador to Pakistan traveled to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and expressed his condolences to those affected by the tragedy. On 13 August, China announced another emergency humanitarian aid worth 50 million yuan (US$7.35 million) bringing the total official Chinese relief aid then to more than 70 million yuan(approx. US$ 10.3 million) to the flood-affected Pakistani people. A Chinese search and rescue team arrived in the southern Pakistani city of Thatta, Sindh Province, where heavy floods swept away hundreds of villages. The Chinese rescue team, consisting of more than 60 members, set up tents and field hospitals to provide

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medical services to flood victims. The Red Cross Society of China and some of China's local governments, including Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Sichuan Province, had also offered cash and material assistance to Pakistan. China announced another aid package of 200 million RMB on September 6, saying it was sincere, timely and unconditional and that China would continue to offer Pakistan support and help for the reconstruction. Chinese ambassador in Pakistan Lui Jian while meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that Chinese total contribution has reached 50 million dollars with another batch of $200 million dollars promised by Chinas premier Wen Jiabao on September 23 at the UN summit in NY. On September 20 China has dispatched 4 of its military helicopters to aid in the search and rescue to Pakistan which is the first time China has ever dispatched military helicopters overseas to perform such duties, the helicopters are also carrying flood relief aid.

Relief by Iran
Iran had committed over 400 tons of relief goods; out of which 330 tons had already been delivered by the Iranian transport aircraft as of 24 August 2010. These goods included tents, floorings, clothes, canned food, bread and medical supplies. Iranian red crescent society has also been on the ground along with Pakistan Red Crescent Society as a part of its ongoing relief operation inside Pakistan to more than 100,000 flood victims. In addition to the Iranian government help Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani has announced that one third of collected Khums will be donated to Pakistan for humanitarian assistance. Irans chamber of commerce also donated US $1 million to the flood affectees. Iran has also offered to setup field hospitals and community centers for flood victims in Pakistan. In response to UN's appeal for help at New York, Iran committed US $10 million towards the flood relief. In addition to this fund, Imam Khomeini Relief Committee was directed to collect private donations from Iranians and donate it to Pakistani government. Iranian interior minister also visited Pakistan as the head of a humanitarian mission assessing the needs of Pakistani people in order to facilitate the distribution of Iranian aid to Pakistan. During the visit the Pakistani interior minister was invited to Tehran for discussing the flood situation among other matters, and the

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Pakistani minister visited Iran on 22 August 2010. Iranian interior minister during a meeting with Pakistani interior minister informed the latter that Iran is the third largest donor nation in terms of delivered aid. Iran has also assured Pakistan of its continued support and aid into future. In order to better supply relief to flood victims, Iranian president Dr. Ahmadinejad would visit the flood hit areas of Pakistan. Iran has also donated 50,000 tents and has sent 500 doctors and nurses to help with ongoing international relief operation Iran started to send an additional 1,100 tonnes of relief goods to Pakistan on 5 September 2010 as part of its ongoing relief operation. Iran is also setting up 15 relief and medical camps in every Pakistani province each capable of holding 1,000 families. On 12 September 2010, Iran allocated an additional US $100 million for Pakistan flood relief. 51% of all relief distributed by International red crescent in Pakistan had been donated by Iran. Iran announced on Nov 08, 2010 that in addition to 5,300 tonnes of aid cargo shipped by Iran to Pakistan, the Iranian hajj pilgrims will donate money and the 103,000 slaughtered sheep of Iranian pilgrims to Pakistan

Relief by Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has allocated more than US $361.99 million for the relief operation, topping the list of all donating countries: US $105.29 million donated by the Saudi Government, US $14.7 million donated by the Saudi Fund for Development, and US $242 million collected through Saudi Public Fund Relief. Within the first week of the flooding that started on 29 July, King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia ordered a massive kingdom-wide fundraising and aid collection campaign. Official aid collection camps were set up in all major Saudi cities, the Saudi royal family set an example when several princes donated $20 million on the first day, encouraging Saudi citizens to follow their example, more than $107 million were collected in the first three days. Saudi Arabia released a statement announcing the establishment of an air-bridge to ferry relief-supplies to Pakistan, 30 major air relief shipments were sent to land in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, in what is the largest air bridge in support of flood victims in Pakistan.

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The Saudi ambassador Abdul Aziz bin Ibrahim al-Ghadeer completely dedicated himself to relief efforts and hardly visited his office in Islamabad because of his constant field presence in Lahore, Multan and Hyderabad. As of August 30, relief goods worth USD 40 million had been delivered and some USD 67 million worth of relief goods were in the pipeline; USD 5.3 million had been handed over to National Disaster Management Authority NDMA Pakistan in cash. Two 100-bed mobile hospitals were also donated by the Saudi Government to the flood victims. Saudi public response was also staggering, as women donated jewellery to fundraising camps. In the aftermath of floods, Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal and Princess Amerah Al Taweel, visited the flood affected areas of Pakistan and took 10 tons of relief materials with them.

Relief by Turkey
Turkey launched the biggest aid campaign in modern Turkish history, Turkey has donated 5 million to Pakistan initially, in addition to 115 tonnes of humanitarian aid consisting of food packages, blankets, sleeping bags and beds delivered to Pakistan Red Crescent Society. By 18 August, Turkey has donated more than 13 million and issued a rallying cry and launched a large-scale relief effort for flood-ravaged Pakistan. Turkey has also sent ever-largest humanitarian aid ship named "Defne" with 4,800 tons of aid materials. Turkey also sent a train carrying humanitarian aid for the flood stricken Pakistan, the train is loaded with humanitarian aid collected by Turkey' s Sabah (daily newspaper)-ATV (TV channel) Group and Turkish Red Crescent, the aid consists of 300 prefabricated houses, 2,000 food parcels, 930 sacks of flour, hygienic materials, dried food, diapers and potable water. Apart, from the state and its organizations, a number of Turkish businessmen also initiated aid campaigns for Pakistan, the Turkish business community in Belgium also donated an amount of 30,000. The Turkish government also announced building of a Turkish town in the flood stricken Pakistan. Turkey has donated a total of $11 million to Pakistan. Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan also visited parts of flood stricken Pakistan, Erdoan to witness aid efforts, including the

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completion of a village of 2,000 prefabricated houses built by the Turkish Red Crescent near MultanAfter the flood when the Turkish Prime Minister could not come to Pakistan due to his engagements he sent his wife Emine Erdoan to help the flood victims, she immediately came to Pakistan and personally gave the keys of the houses constructed by Turkish welfare organization to the flood affectees, she soon after her visit to Pakistan, not only mobilized the international community by writing personal letters to the spouses of the other heads of states and governments but also donated her personal jewellery including her precious necklace, for the flood relief efforts. Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani conferred on Begum Emine Erdogan, Hilal-i-Pakistan the highest civilian medal of Pakistan for her efforts for the flood victims. In a moving act of affection and a deep desire to help, a nine-year old Turkish girl Merve Tekinay donated her one years pocket money and her doll as a contribution to Pakistans flood relief effort

Relief by United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates ordered for sending humanitarian assistance on emergency basis and sent a team of 42 troops of the UAE Armed Forces Relief Team along with fleet of Chinook helicopters which evacuated more than three thousand people and airlifted 359 tonnes of food-stuff, tents and other helping materia The UAE Force in Afghanistan distributed 30MT of relief materials and food to flooded areas of the country. The UAE Force worked jointly with the Armed Force of Pakistan in the areas of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan. The UAE also pledged to donate $ 5 million for the flood relief operations in Pakistan. A telethon campaign named, "Awnakum" (Your Help), by the Red Crescent Authority (RCA) raised 72 million AED ($21 million) through shopping centers, mobile phone messages, radio and television stations. Her Highness Fatima bint Mubarak Al Ketbi, the wife of the founder and the first president of UAE, has personally donated AED 5 million towards the aid of floods victims in Pakistan. The Red Crescent also dispatched 70 tons of essential relief supplies. UAE through Red Crescent also dispatched two 2 ships carrying basic

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necessities for the flood victims worth USD 10 million. Mobile military medical field hospitals were also set up by the UAE in parts of Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan to provide medical aid. The UAE Ambassador to Pakistan Ali Saif Al-Awani also devoted himself and supervised, coordinated and facilitated the relief operations and also visited mobile medical hospital and attended massive vaccination campaigns in the affected parts of the country. UAE will also build an 'Emirates village' in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at the cost of US$8 million with 20,000 tents accommodating 140,000 people. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan also announced the vaccination of 750,000 children in Sindh. Recently, UAE launched a $100 million project for assisting Pakistan's flood affected people, the project will include creating job opportunities in the flood-hit areas, with focus on- education, public health, roads and bridges.

Relief by United States

The United States stated that it would provide 56,000 ready meals on 1 August and 2, twelve temporary bridges and two water-filtrationplants to help the flood-victims as part of a US$10 million aid-pledge. Commenting on the floods, the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, stated, "The Pakistani people are friends and partners, and the United States is standing with them as the tragic human toll mounts from flooding in northwest Pakistan." Hillary Clinton personally donated $10 for flood-relief in an effort to encourage people to donate, no matter how small the amount. On 10 August, US announced another $20 million to provide relief for the affected, taking the flood related aid from United States to US$ 55 million. On 11 August, US increased its assistance for flood-ravaged Pakistan to $ 71 million. Additionally, United States initially provided six US Army CH47 Chinook helicopters from their duty in Afghanistan. On 12 August, it provided two more CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters to assist Pakistan Army in their relief efforts. The two helicopters are first of 19 helicopters that US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has urgently ordered for Pakistan in next few days. Senator John Kerry also visited Pakistan in order to survey the damage from the disaster, and to raise US public awareness about Pakistani relief needs. On 13 August, US increased its aid to US $84 million as USS Peleliu gets ready to

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dispatch more helicopters pledged earlier by US Defense Secretary. In addition to this, the United States is providing $3 million to the World Health Organization to expand the capacity of Pakistan's Disease Early Warning System (DEWS) and to establish the first 15 treatment centers for water-borne illness. It is also working with the humanitarian community to spread awareness through radio stations regarding safety precautions against water-borne diseases. On 14 August, further two CH-53E Super Stallion and a MH-53E Sea Dragon arrived in Pakistan to work with Pakistan military in flood-affected areas. On Thursday, 20 August, the United States pledged an additional $60 million to the U.N. flood relief effort in Pakistan, bringing its total contribution to $150 million in a move designed to encourage other governments and private donors to boost their aid. On Friday, 27 August, the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and her Amphibious Ready Group will deploy to Pakistan to assist.

Remedies
Development of Policies, Strategies
and Plans
The development of policies, strategies and plans to combat the risks associated with natural disasters should be based on a comprehensive risk assessment. This requires an integrated approach whereby a wide range of mitigation measures should be considered. For example, mitigation activities such as hazardous land mapping (i.e., flood plain mapping plus landslide and mudslide-prone areas) should be designed so that considerations of other disaster types lead to sounder overall land use plans. In essence, there would be very little purpose in moving people and goods from one risk zone to another, especially if the other hazard is equally or more apt to occur under the prevailing conditions such as torrential rain. Within this overall process, full consideration needs to be given to the social, environmental and economic impacts of policy and programme development. This chapter provides guidance on aspects of flood hazards that need to be

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considered within the overall planning process. The aspects contained herein are meant to complement other materials in this guide, such as the development of a flow forecasting and warning system, which are important tools within the range of options to be considered. Basin wide planning Reduction of flood losses must be considered, using the basin as the basic planning unit. It is absolutely essential to have knowledge of water uses, diversions, storage, and management practices in all parts of the basin, as well as the antecedent, present, and forecasted meteorological and hydrological conditions.

Evacuation Plan
Though it is not possible to control the flood disaster totally, by adopting suitable structural and non-structural measures the flood damages can be minimized. For planning any flood management measure latest, reliable, accurate and timely information is required. In this context satellite remote sensing plays an important role.

Flood forecasting
Flood forecasting is an important component of flood warning, where the distinction between the two is that the outcome of flood forecasting is a set of forecast time-profiles of channel flows or river levels at various locations, while "flood warning" is the task of making use of these forecasts to make decisions about whether warnings of floods should be issued to the general public or whether previous warnings should be rescinded or retracted. Sophisticated flood forecasting systems will also account for the effects of:

snowmelt; flood plains and wash lands; flood defences, including control-gates etc.; Tidal effects near the sea, and sea-surges.

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Advance preparation
Assuming that there is advance warning of a major storm event, a number of steps can be taken to increase readiness. Such steps include: construction of temporary flood protection works; placing emergency response teams on high alert; distribution of critical materials such as stockpiled sandbags to targeted locations; and preparation of emergency shelters and hospitals prepared for occupation. The population at risk can be informed of what is expected of them in the actuality of an extreme event. As the event becomes more certain, actions such as evacuation of people, goods and machinery can begin. Even if the event is not as extreme as predicted, these preparations help test emergency response plans and inform the public as to the nature of natural hazards. Media and public information sessions help set the stage as well. The media are key players in the link between public officials and the public. It helps if they are familiar with the terminology used in warnings and forecasts and know whom to contact for more detailed information during an actual flood event.

Rescue & Evacuation

Evacuation is a pre-emptive move to protect life and property, whereas rescue is a post-disaster phenomenon of helping people to move from areas that have been hit by disaster to a safer place. However, the situation of evacuation and rescue comes along with numerous unanswered queries in mind. Very often, due to lack of information or in haste, living during evacuation and rescue becomes difficult and painful. However, during such the situations, following precautionary norms should be kept in mind.

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Lists of simple things one can do to

stay safe and protect one from floods
Before flooding occurs: 1. Know the route to the nearest safe shelters that you are aware off. 2. Keep the First Aid Kit ready with extra medication for snake bite and diarrhoea 3. Strong ropes for tying things 4. A radio, torch and spare batteries. 5. Stocks of fresh water, dry food, candles, matchbox, kerosene etc. 6. Umbrellas and bamboo sticks (to protect from snakes) 7. Higher ground where people and animals can take shelter, when you hear a flood warning. 1. Tune in to your radio or watch for warning and advice 2. Keep vigil of flood warning given by local authorities 3. Keep dry food and drinking water and warm clothes ready 4. Check your emergency kit.

If you need to evacuate

1. Pack clothing, essential medication, valuables, personal papers etc. in water proof bags to be taken to the safe shelter. 2. Raise furniture, appliances on beds and tables 3. Put sandbags in the toilet bowl and cover all drain holes to prevent sewage back flow. 4. Do not get into water of unknown depth and current 5. Lock your house and take the recommended or known evacuation routes for your area of safe shelter.

During Floods
1. Drink boiled water or use halogen tablet to purify water before drinking.

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2. Keep your food covered 3. Do not let children remain on empty stomach 4. Use bleaching powder and lime to disinfect the surroundings 5. Avoid entering flood waters. If you need to enter then were proper foot wear. 6. Stay away from water over knee level.

After a Flood
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Stay tuned to local radio. Do not allow children to play in, or near, flood waters. Stay away from drains, culverts. Do not use electrical appliances. Do not eat food, which has been in floodwaters. Boil tap water. Use halogen tablets before drinking. be careful of snake bites, snakebites are common during floods.

Flood Resistance and Resilience

Where buildings must be located in areas with medium to high levels of flood risk, the incorporation of flood resistance and resilience at the design stage can reduce the impacts should inundation occur. Standard measures include the provision of a minimum freeboard above ground or predicted flood level, and the use of resilient fixtures and fittings within.

Flood resistance measures include

Fitting one way valves to sewage pipes, or the use of temporary bungs; Sump and pump systems to remove water from buildings faster than it enters; and

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Temporary door or air vent flood boards to stop the entry of flood water.

Geological hazard
Natural earth processes or phenomena that may cause the loss of life or injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental degradation. Geological hazard includes internal earth processes or tectonic origin, such as earthquakes, geological fault activity, tsunamis, volcanic activity and emissions as well as external processes such as mass movements: landslides, rockslides, rock falls or avalanches, surfaces collapses, expansive soils and debris or mud flows. Geological hazards can be single, sequential or combined in their origin and effects.

Reservoir
Reservoirs play an important role in flood management. They store flood water and reduce flood risks by attenuating the flood peaks and intensity of flooding in the downstream reaches. Within the context of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM), water storage by reservoirs is an important means of meeting needs of various activities when the natural supply is less than the demand. From both aspects, reservoirs have been providing substantial benefits to human societies and their economic activities.

MODERATION OF FLOW
Almost in all cases, a reservoir is constructed to perform multi-purpose functions with water storage as the main function to different sectorial needs of the society such as water supply for drinking, industrial use,

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navigation or irrigation, and hydropower generation. In all these cases the reservoir serves an important function of moderating the flows.