Floods can pose significant risks to life and property, but by following these essential guidelines, you can minimize financial and life losses for yourself and your family:
1. Stay Informed and Prepared:
- Stay updated with information and instructions via local officials, local people, and mass media channels such as radio, television, and social media.
- Take evacuation orders seriously. If advised to leave your home, evacuate promptly to ensure your safety.
2. Protect the Family:
- Provide special assistance to women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities to keep them safe from flood danger.
- Relocate women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities to a safe place away from flooded areas.
3. Prevent Flood Infiltration:
- Upon seeing heavy rain and floods, immediately block the water drainage towards the house and other important areas. If possible, place barriers like bags of stones and gravel in front of the flood.
- Communicate with the local people and seek their help. Try to clean large water drains and, if possible, redirect the flood path by moving to higher areas above houses or the village.
4. Immediate Actions if Flooding Is Imminent:
- If you see heavy rain and flood, especially in river areas or on bridges, evacuate immediately to higher ground.
- Avoid stopping in waterlogged areas, and never attempt to pass through floodwaters higher than knee-level. This not only endangers your life but also hampers rescue and relief efforts.
5. Safety Measures During the Flood:
- Seek shelter on high ground away from rivers or flooded paths after leaving your home.
- Avoid weak bridges that may collapse due to floodwaters.
6. Preparing Your House:
- Before evacuating, turn off electricity, water, and gas supplies to prevent accidents and damage.
- If unable to cut off electricity, disconnect electrical appliances from their power sources. Do not touch electrical equipment with wet hands.
7. Don’t Enter to Floodwaters:
- Never enter floodwaters as they may be electrically charged from power lines or contaminated with hazardous substances.
- If wading through floodwaters is unavoidable, use a stick or suitable device to maintain balance and avoid hazards.
8. Stay Aware of Landslide:
- Stay indoors if your home is elevated or on higher ground.
- During a flood, avoid crossing intersections or roads prone to collapse and stay aware of landslides.
- Use low gears and release the accelerator if your vehicle gets stuck in water or mat.
9. Maintaining Calm and Awareness:
- Stay calm and inform neighbors and others at risk about evacuation orders and safety measures.
- Always heed flood warnings and alerts for timely evacuation.
10. Health Precautions:
- Avoid moving in swift water flows, which can lead to loss of balance and exposure to contaminated floodwaters containing oil, chemicals, and sewage.
- Steer clear of seemingly calm streams and drains, as flash flooding can occur suddenly without warning.
- For the safety of yourself and your family members, carefully inspect the floodwaters around you to ensure they do not contain harmful substances, sharp objects, or venomous creatures such as snakes.
By following these comprehensive guidelines during a flood, you can significantly reduce the impact on your safety and well-being. Stay vigilant, prioritize safety, and support each other to mitigate the effects of flooding effectively.
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