Pakistan's floods in 2010 were some of the worst in the country's history, causing an estimated $60 billion in damage, including lands, resources, buildings, etc. Unfortunately, this year Pakistan is facing even more devastating floods. Floods are getting worse over time and are predicted to increase even further as the climate changes. A flood occurs when too much water flows into one area, usually due to heavy rainfall or snowmelt, quickly filling up the rivers and streams that run through it. Usually, after heavy rainfall in Pakistan, the rivers overflow their banks and cause flooding in low-lying areas along the river basin. Floods are dangerous because they can cause landslides and avalanches when they wash away soil and other materials on mountain slopes, resulting in many injuries and even deaths. So, we will discuss some effective tips on how to prevent floods in Pakistan. These strategies will help you make smart flood prevention and control decisions to protect people and property from harm.
Best Ways To Prevent Floods
Identify Flood-Prone Areas
Flooding disasters are more common during this time. However, this disaster does not strike all of Pakistan.
Hence, it is important to identify the flood-prone areas of the country first to prevent flooding. This step will help you understand the bad situation and the precautions you must take. Once you have identified the areas prone to flooding, take action by strengthening embankments or using sandbags.
Heavy rains can result in urban flooding in plain areas and flash floods in mountainous locations. Major cities in Kashmir, Sindh, Punjab, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are included.
Flooding affects several Sindh districts, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Dadu, Larkana, etc. Moreover, Balochistan is frequently threatened by floodwaters. Flash floods recently brought severe storms in the Lasbela district and caused widespread harm.
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Construction Of Dams
The construction of dams is the best ways to prevent floods. Dams can help regulate water flow by storing water in reservoirs and reducing the risk of downstream flooding.
In Pakistan, the Tarbela Dam and the Mangla Dam are only the two largest and most important flood-prevention structures. However, these dams are not 100% effective because the capacity of their reservoirs is limited by how much rainwater they can hold before spilling over into rivers below.
The government must build more dams with larger reservoirs to address this problem.
Increase In Plantation
Another effective tips to prevent floods in Pakistan is by increasing the amount of vegetation and trees in an area. It helps to absorb excess water and slows down the flow of runoff.
In Pakistan, the government should increase the number of plants and trees around flood-prone areas to slow down flooding.
Mangroves and eucalyptus trees are particularly good at reducing flood risk. Because of how deeply rooted they are, they are also referred to as "nature's starving tree."
These trees can assist in lower tidal wave power, preventing floods and storm surges, by being planted close to rivers, reservoirs, and bridges.
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Timely Cleaning Of Storm Drains
One of the most important things we can do to prevent flooding is timely cleaning storm drains. It is especially important during the monsoon.
Storm drains are crucial in draining excess water from surfaces like pavements and parking areas. However, they can become clogged with debris, leaves, and dirt, which can cause water to back up and eventually lead to flooding. Hence, it's important to clean storm drains regularly, especially before heavy rains.
Proper Arrangement For Storage Tanks
Pakistan's court should implement adequate provincial laws to stop government structures and commercial chains from directing surplus water toward highways.
An easy way to deal with surplus water is to install water-holding tanks. All cities may install these storage tanks, but Lahore, Karachi, and other flood-prone areas need them.
A QUICK OVERVIEW OF HOW TO PREVENT FLOODS IN PAKISTAN ACCORDING TO NFP PLAN 4
The Pakistani government has developed a strategy to use integrated flood management techniques to control the nation's yearly flooding.
These contain physical and non-structural flood safety measures to prevent floods in Pakistan, considering the shortcomings discovered in earlier flood protection schemes.
Here is a thorough summary of the National Flood Protection Plan-flood IV's management strategies.
Solutions For Urban Flooding: How Is It Different From Rural Flooding?
Urban flooding differs from rural flooding because the development of cities alters the natural landscape. Water has a harder time draining away, and it's more likely to pool in low-lying areas.
To prevent urban flooding, we must consider how we can alter the built environment so water can drain away more easily.
Some solutions for preventing floods in urban areas include:
Removing obstacles like pavement or concrete where rainwater might collect
Installing permeable surfaces like grasses or porous materials like gravel
Using green roofs and living walls to keep rainwater from running off roofs and into gutters
Installing underground storm drains
Removing obstructions around lakes and rivers such as culverts
However, in rural locations, the methods can vary substantially. Due to the lack of resources and effective sewage control systems, locals must come up with unique alternatives. It may include:
Planting trees along riverbanks to provide shade and break wind gusts
Creating diversion channels at the top of dikes
Raising homes on stilts to decrease exposure to flooding
Building stone levees near rivers to help slow floodwaters down
Installing sump pumps
Final Thoughts
As we've seen, floods are a serious problem in Pakistan. However, by following the above-listed tips on how to prevent Flood in Pakistan, we can make a difference and help keep our loved ones safe.
We can educate ourselves on climate change and how it affects us here in Pakistan. Moreover, we can talk about how flooding impacts other people with family or friends who live near water.
These actions might not eliminate all flooding in our country. However, they will reduce the number of floods each year so that future generations will have less to worry about.
