How does disaster preparedness help in flood risk management?
Posted by purnima on November 16th, 2017
When it comes to risk management in the wake of an impending disaster, it’s imperative to prioritise disaster management in India so that the populace is well-equipped to deal with such misdemeanours. Without adequate preparation, the region can end up being completely devastated by these events, and it can take ages to bounce back from something so traumatic if there are no countermeasures that are set in place to mitigate the effect of these disasters.
One of the biggest risks when it comes to the onset of a disaster in India has to be floods and their alarming frequency in various regions of the subcontinent (such as the coastal regions and the north-east). When it comes to the mitigation of any damage caused by floods, it’s obvious that disaster preparedness is essential so that the effect of this disaster doesn’t affect the region extensively in the long run. Here are the major ways in which adequate disaster preparedness helps when it comes to flood risk management.
- Educate individuals about the implications of a flood: A flood can prove to be extremely destructive, and the first thing that needs to be conveyed to these individuals are the negative implications of this natural disaster. Without adequate knowledge regarding this particular event, most people simply won’t be able to grasp the gravity of such an incident. There are various NGOs working for disaster management in India, and the awareness of the damage caused by floods is increasing.
- Ensure that people know what to do in the event of a flood: One of the major benefits of disaster preparedness is that people can be informed about the measures that can be taken before, during, and after a flood to ensure their survival and minimise any damage that might be caused as a result. This can prove to be a huge help, since mitigating the after-effects of any disaster is extremely important so that the affected doesn’t suffer any serious long-effects in the event of a disaster in India. After all, there’s a reason why quick response times are given so much importance in the wake of a disaster.
- Place pre-set disaster relief, especially in flood-prone areas: One of the major benefits that arises as a result of the operations of multiple NGOs working for disaster management in India is that these organisations can set up pre-set measures for disaster relief that can be activated in the case of a flood (or pretty much any other emergency). This negates the need to set up last-minute measures before the imminent onset of a flood, which will be equal parts ineffective and unreliable.
It’s evident that disaster management in India still needs to be developed extensively for it to be truly effective, so that any damage in the case of a flood or any other natural disaster can be mitigated with ease.
