Flooding

by Josanne Goolcharan - j.goolcharan@hotmail.com
(Holds a degree in Geology with a minor in Geography)

WHAT IS FLOODING?

Flooding is a hydrological hazard, which occurs when there is an excess gathering or distribution of water, which outweighs the capability of the local environment to manage or control its regular movement.

FACTORS THAT CAUSE FLOODING

Flooding has multiple origins; however the main causes within Trinidad and Tobago are rainfall, and river flooding. In the major city of Port of Spain, the main causes of flooding are the presence of reclaimed lands and increased infrastructure on hill slopes along with poor drainage maintenance.

Other human factors such as littering or the clogging of drains with foreign debris, deforestation, poor construction of drains or canals and improper location and construction of homes/businesses, and the cutting down of hill sides also contribute in to increased risk of flooding.

There are also the possibilities of storm surges along coastal areas causing flooding along the shore lines and coastal areas, including immediate residential or commercial areas.

THE EFFECTS OF FLOODING

The effects of flooding as we have seen in the past can range from negligible to devastating.

For simplicity, we will divide the types of effects into direct and indirect effects.

Direct effects of flooding include

• Physical damage - to physical infrastructure including buildings (residential and business) , roads, bridges, levees
• Damage to property - appliances, furniture, vehicles, pipelines, machinery etc
• Injury and or death - to both humans and animals including pets and farm animals
• In some areas of loose soils and elevated lands, landslides or soil creeps may occur due to saturated material moving under the effect of gravity.
• Choking of rivers can occur when debris and soil material is washed into the rivers and “fills” it, leaving less space for water/discharge to pass

Indirect effects of flooding include

• Leaching of chemicals into soils and the environment
• Increased presence of pests and rodents
• Increased spread of communicable diseases and other illnesses
• Declines in the levels of economic activity and productivity
• Unemployment in cases of persons who depend on lands for farming
• Disruption in flows of goods due to inaccessibility and isolation

POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS

There are several different angles which can be taken to reduce and/ or eliminate the presence and/or risk of flooding.

• Increased road side bins to prevent littering
• Frequent cleaning of drains and canals - around the yard, community or wider district
• Reconstruction and new construction of drains especially in fast growing commercial areas and installation of trash nets for easier cleaning.
• Dredging of drains and rivers
• Decreased deforestation and encouragement of afforestation
• Building terraces or baskets on hill sides to reduce rates of runoff
• Presence of water pumps in places more susceptible to flooding
• Avoiding construction along active floodplains, river banks and avoiding coastal areas which receive strong winds and rains
• Building at least 3 feet higher than the level of the road

Other measures for reducing the effects and losses include

• Taking proactive measures before the rainy season begins
• Raising the yard above the road level
• Use of sandbags by doorways
• Elevating furniture and appliances
• Removing any ground items which can be damaged
• Parking vehicles on higher lands
• Getting to know the history of an areas before deciding to locate there

EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RECOVERY

• Dissemination of warnings
• Evacuation to shelters or areas of higher grounds, or family members
• Damage assessments
• Restoration of damaged and interrupted services and activities
• Education - on how to prevent and deal with flooding
• Provision of financial and medical assistance
• Replacement and repair of damaged housing and business property
• Determination of responsibility and legal liability

In the end we all agree that flooding will take place in some areas regardless of what is done, whereas it can be completely avoided in others. Our homes are our responsibility and we must take charge of things which we know can pose a threat to us. In other cases where it cannot be avoided, we can take measures however to reduce its effect and reduce the amount of damage it causes in and around the home or work place.