Floods

FLOODS

SAFETY TIPS

This guide lists simple things you and your family can do to stay safe and protect your property from floods.

Before flooding occurs.

All your family members should know the safe route to nearest shelter/ raised pucca house.
If your area is flood-prone, consider alternative building materials. Mud walls are more likely to be damaged during floods. You may consider making houses where the walls are made of local bricks up to the highest known flood level with cement pointing.
Have an emergency kit on hand which includes a:
A portable radio, torch and spare batteries;
Stocks of fresh water, dry food (chura, mudi, gur, biscuits), kerosene, candle and matchboxes;
Waterproof or polythene bags for clothing and valuables, an umbrella and bamboo stick (to protect from snake), salt and sugar.
A first aid kit, manual and strong ropes for tying things


When you hear a flood warning or if flooding appears likely

Tune to your local radio/TV for warnings and advice.
Keep vigil on flood warning given by local authorities
Don’t give any importance to rumours and don’t panic
Keep dry food, drinking water and clothes ready
Prepare to take bullock carts, other agricultural equipments, and domestic animals to safer places or to higher locations.
Plan which indoor items you will raise or empty if water threatens to enter your house
Check your emergency kit


During floods

Drink boiled water.
Keep your food covered, don’t take heavy meals.
Use raw tea, rice-water, tender coconut-water, etc. during diarrhoea; contact your ANM/AWW for ORS and treatment.
Do not let children remain on empty stomach.
Use bleaching powder and lime to disinfect the surrounding.
Help the officials/volunteers distributing relief materials.


If you need to evacuate

Firstly pack warm clothing, essential medication, valuables, personal papers, etc. in waterproof bags, to be taken with your emergency kit.
Take the emergency kit
Inform the local volunteers (if available), the address of the place you are evacuating to.
Raise furniture, clothing and valuables onto beds, tables and to the top of the roof (electrical items highest).
Turn off power.
Whether you leave or stay, put sandbags in the toilet bowl and over all laundry / bathroom drain-holes to prevent sewage back-flow.
Lock your home and take recommended/known evacuation routes for your area.
Do not get into water of unknown depth and current.


If you stay or on your return

· Stay tuned to local radio for updated advice.

· Do not allow children to play in, or near, flood waters.

· Avoid entering floodwaters. If you must, wear proper protection for your feet and check depth and current with a stick. Stay away from drains, culverts and water over knee-deep.

· Do not use electrical appliances, which have been in floodwater until checked for safety.

· Do not eat food, which has been in floodwaters.

· Boil tap water (in cities) until supplies have been declared safe. In case of rural areas, store tube well water in plastic jars or use halogen tablets before drinking.

· Be careful of snakes, snakebites are common during floods.