Flood Damage: A Brief Study
Water is the source and keeper of life but water itself causes severe damage of properties and lives. Flood damage is a major concern worldwide, which has increased after the global warming issue has set its foot. Frequency of floods is reported to have increased in rivers that are fed by snowmelt waters. It’s time to get reorganized in managing floods and its consequences. But for a systematic and effective management, a proper understanding of the calamity and its consequences is needed.
A river gets inflow of water from its upstream part. Broadly rivers can be classified into two types-snow fed and rainwater fed. When the water volume of a river exceeds its carrying capacity, river water spills out into adjacent banks. Spilling occurs in the form of gushing waves. Recession of this inundated water towards the river bed takes place at a slower pace and the rate of recession chiefly depends upon the slope of the banks. In most of the cases the problem of flood damage intensifies during this period.
Apart from all kinds of destruction caused by flood waves, prolonged water-logging condition hinders relief and rescue operations. Relief personnel face serious hazards in reaching remote places. Victims, who manage to find secure shelters, undergo severe food and safe drinking water crisis and death toll rises. Owners of agricultural and industrial properties have to face huge amount of losses. Even after water recedes, flood damage restoration becomes a long procedure involving huge sum of money. But loss of human lives can never be reinstated.
After the calamity, people are left with piles of damaged stuff, from carpets to concrete structures. The most difficult task is to clean up basements, both at residences and offices. After flood, wet articles easily catch mold growth and decay fast. Flood damage control professionals put hard efforts to dry things as fast as possible. Renovation of buildings cannot be started before inundated water recedes totally. And restoration of agricultural land becomes most challenging and long term process.
Flood damage has become a real hassle for insurance companies too. With increased frequency of floods for last few years, they are forced to pay lump sum to insurers. According to a report published by Insurance Information Institute of United States, in 2002, total national insurance payment for mold and water damage was $2.5 billion. Government authorities too have to spend millions in flood damage rehabilitation. As per a report published by Jamaican government, $165 million was allotted for post flood operations for the year 2004-’05.
Controlling flood damage is a key area of research for disaster management researchers. Deforestation and consequent increased rate of soil erosion cause increase in the level of river bed resulting in inundation. Sometimes mal-management of river dams and barrages too cause floods. Flood in cities often take place due to poor drainage system. so if measures are taken to reduce the possibilities of floods by creating mass awareness and reorganizing water management systems in both macro and micro levels, it would be the best way to check floods and flood damage.
