Technical methods for flood
mitigation
Pakistan is confronting series of disasters in recent past, 2005 earth quake,
hunza land slide, air blue crash, and 2010 Floods, are major disasters. These
disasters have different type and onset but resulted huge damage to life and
property .Pakistan is facing different problems like terrorism, political
uncertainty which badly affected the government and its institutions capacity.
Government of Pakistan after 2005 earth quake establish a authority for disaster
management but due to lack of technical knowledge and manpower this authority
fail to play its role effectively while dealing with these disasters, there is
an urgent need to built the capacity of this authority and also clearly lay down
its bylaws and mandate , NDMA think that its role in disaster management is only
regulatory which is totally wrong perception, the role of any National disaster
management authority in the world is to regulate and develop of systems and
train technically manpower to manage disasters.
Disaster management is multidimensional field and required technical knowledge
to get job done ,army can not manage disaster , army can manage war and law and
order ,the only role army can play in disaster management is that they can
respond to post disaster phase for rescue , relief and recovery on request but
here we misuse army in disaster management which not only kept them away from
their original task but also put extra burden on armed forces, and on other hand
it indicate weakness in Coping capacity of NDMA to manage disaster.
2005 earth quake is fast onset disaster, all damages are natural and one can not
criticized government or any authority because in fast onset disaster damage to
life and property can not be minimized by any mean, 2010 flood is slow onset
disaster in which damage to life and property is failure of NDMA and government
of Pakistan because in slow onset disaster damages can be minimized if a country
have system in place (like early warning system, hazard assessment, risk
calculation etc).
Consequences of poor disaster management.
If government of Pakistan and international community fail to manage or poorly
managed this disaster then it will resulted dire consequences for Pakistan and
rest of the world .If we calculate the amount of damage, magnitude and spread of
this disaster, there is a immediate need to manage this disaster properly, if
serious steps will not be taken by Government, UN and donor countries the
situation will create complex disaster which later on change into second
disaster which not only affect Pakistan but the whole civilized world.
Complex Disasters- Complex disasters exist where adverse political conditions
compound a disaster or emergency situation. Such situations are complicated
because the breakdown of the political structure makes assistance or
intervention difficult. This sort of emergency is usually associated with the
problems of displaced people during times of civil conflict or with people in
need caught in areas of conflict.
THE SECOND DISASTER
The actual disaster results in a lot of damage to the population in terms of
loss of life and property. This direct result can be dubbed as the ‘first
disaster’. The impact of the first disaster sends another wave of damage
triggered by chain of events relating to the first disaster by means of
cause-and-effect, resulting in indirect damage to people remote from the
original disaster. This can be called the ‘second disaster’. For example,
tsunami had caused loss in terms of life, damage to houses, etc. This is the
first disaster. This leads to disruption in the trade of fishing industries,
which suffers massive financial losses. The losses suffered by these industries
results in lower wages and salaries to those involved in the fishing business.
These people cannot repay their loans, resulting in losses to money lenders, and
so on. Such events can also result in higher incidences of heart attacks,
strokes, suicides and homicides. This is called ‘second disaster’ and can be in
greater magnitude than the ‘first disaster’. Proper rehabilitation and care of
the victims of first disaster can break the chain of events leading to the
second disaster.
NDMA must prepare national disaster plan for flood victims to avoid above stated
situations and also centralized all disaster management activities for effective
recovery at national level and setup national early warning system, Hazard
assessment, and Risk and hazard mapping for minimizing damages in any future
event.
I recommended NDMA some technical guidelines to adopt and minimize damages to
life and property of flood affected Pakistani citizens.
Alert- The notice issued indicating that specific precautions should be taken
because of the probability or proximity of a dangerous event.
Emergency management
The organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing
with all aspects of emergencies, in particularly preparedness, response and
rehabilitation.
Emergency management involves plans, structures and arrangements established to
engage the normal endeavors of government, voluntary and private agencies in a
comprehensive and coordinated way to respond to the whole spectrum of emergency
needs. This is also known as disaster management.
Hydro meteorological hazards Natural processes or phenomena of atmospheric,
hydrological or oceanographic nature, which may cause the loss of life or
injury, property damage, social and economic disruption or environmental
degradation.
Hydro meteorological hazards include: floods, debris and mud floods; tropical
cyclones, storm surges, thunder/hailstorms, rain and wind storms, blizzards and
other severe storms; drought, desertification, wild land fires, temperature
extremes, sand or dust storms; permafrost and snow or ice avalanches. Hydro
meteorological hazards can be single, sequential or combined in their origin and
effects.
Risk assessment/analysis A methodology to determine the nature and extent of
risk by analyzing potential hazards and evaluating existing conditions of
vulnerability that could pose a potential threat or harm to people, property,
livelihoods and the environment on which they depend.
The process of conducting a risk assessment is based on a review of both the
technical features of hazards such as their location, intensity, frequency and
probability; and also the analysis of the physical, social, economic and
environmental dimensions of vulnerability and exposure, while taking particular
account of the coping capabilities pertinent to the risk scenarios.
Structural / non-structural measures Structural measures refer to any physical
construction to reduce or avoid possible impacts of hazards, which include
engineering measures and construction of hazard-resistant and protective
structures and infrastructure.
Non-structural measures refer to policies, awareness, knowledge development,
public commitment, and methods and operating practices, including participatory
mechanisms and the provision of information, which can reduce risk and related
impacts.
Risk assessment/analysis
A methodology to determine the nature and extent of risk by analyzing potential
hazards and evaluating existing conditions of vulnerability that could pose a
potential threat or harm to people, property, livelihoods and the environment on
which they depend.
The process of conducting a risk assessment is based on a review of both the
technical features of hazards such as their location, intensity, frequency and
probability; and also the analysis of the physical, social, economic and
environmental dimensions of vulnerability and exposure, while taking particular
account of the coping capabilities pertinent to the risk scenarios.
Geographic information systems (GIS) Analysis that combine relational databases
with spatial interpretation and outputs often in form of maps. A more elaborate
definition is that of computer programmes for capturing, storing, checking,
integrating, analyzing and displaying data about the earth that is spatially
referenced.
Geographical information systems are increasingly being utilized for hazard and
vulnerability mapping and analysis, as well as for the application of disaster
risk management measures.
Land-use planning Branch of physical and socio-economic planning that determines
the means and assesses the values or limitations of various options in which
land is to be utilized, with the corresponding effects on different segments of
the population or interests of a community taken into account in resulting
decisions.
Land-use planning involves studies and mapping, analysis of environmental and
hazard data, formulation of alternative land-use decisions and design of a
long-range plan for different geographical and administrative scales.
Land-use planning can help to mitigate disasters and reduce risks by
discouraging high-density settlements and construction of key installations in
hazard-prone areas, control of population density and expansion, and in the
sitting of service routes for transport, power, water, sewage and other critical
facilities.
Environmental impact assessment (EIA) Studies undertaken in order to assess the
effect on a specified environment of the introduction of any new factor, which
may upset the current ecological balance.
EIA is a policy making tool that serves to provide evidence and analysis of
environmental impacts of activities from conception to decision-making. It is
utilized extensively in national programming and for international development
assistance projects. An EIA must include a detailed risk assessment and provide
alternatives solutions or options.
Environmental degradation The reduction of the capacity of the environment to
meet social and ecological objectives, and needs.
Potential effects are varied and may contribute to an increase in vulnerability
and the frequency and intensity of natural hazards.
Some examples: land degradation, deforestation, desertification, wildland fires,
loss of biodiversity, land, water and air pollution, climate change, sea level
rise and ozone depletion.
Forecast Definite statement or statistical estimate of the occurrence of a
future event (UNESCO, WMO).
This term is used with different meanings in different disciplines.
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.
Geographic information systems (GIS) Analysis that combine relational databases
with spatial interpretation and outputs often in form of maps. A more elaborate
definition is that of computer programmes for capturing, storing, checking,
integrating, analyzing and displaying data about the earth that is spatially
referenced.
Geographical information systems are increasingly being utilized for hazard and
vulnerability mapping and analysis, as well as for the application of disaster
risk management measures.
Public awareness The processes of informing the general population, increasing
levels of consciousness about risks and how people can act to reduce their
exposure to hazards. This is particularly important for public officials in
fulfilling their responsibilities to save lives and property in the event of a
disaster.
Public awareness activities foster changes in behavior leading towards a culture
of risk reduction. This involves public information, dissemination, education,
radio or television broadcasts, use of printed media, as well as, the
establishment of information centre and networks and community and participation
actions.
Family communication Plan for Flood victims
Family communications.
Money, Insurance and vital records
Utility shut-off and safety
Open all doors and windows of house
Select highest place
Stay in groups (Women, children’s and elders in center young’s in surroundings)
Unplugged animals
Kept drinking water in plastic Grecians
Tied all house keeping goods with rope
There is a phenomenal increase in the incidence of psychiatric disorders in the
Flood affected population. The common problems include
1. Acute stress disorder
2. Post traumatic stress disorder
3. Anxiety disorders
4. Depression
5. Alcohol and drug abuse
Sardar Muhammad Qaddafi
Area reconstruction coordinator
SRSP Manshera
Disaster management specialist