Managing cyclones, floods and droughts

What is the role of NGOs and aid organisations?

Aid in various stages including preparedness, response, recovery and long term resilience building through means, like education, trained personnel, and other support.

In the aftermath, NGOs provide health care services, like setting up mobile clinics.

The Red Crescent aided Libya during the 2023 flooding caused by Storm Daniel (4,300 casualties and 8,000 missing) by mobilising 730 volunteers to assist in evacuations, search and rescue operations, and the distribution of essential relief supplies, including 47,767 non food items and 75,095 food parcels.

What is the role of planners and land use zoners?

Assess the susceptibility of different areas to extreme weather events and incorporate this information into land use plans.

Zoning regulations may include restrictions in building in flood prone zones or requirements for storm water management.

Incorporating green infrastructure, like permeable surfaces or urban green spaces, into development plans can help absorb excess water, reduce flooding and mitigate urban heat island effect.

Whats the role of first responders?

Provide immediate assistance to ensure public safety and to help coordinate emergency response.

treating injuries, administering first aid and transporting individuals to medical facilities.

Coordinate and execute evacuation plans for flood prone areas by guiding residents to emergency shelters.

What is the role of community groups?

Help build resilience at a local level and foster a sense of community cohesion. Raise awareness about the risks and educate residents on how to prepare for and respond to emergencies.

Conduct local vulnerability assessments to identify areas/populations that may be vulnerable.

Spreading information on evacuation routes, emergency shelters and safety measures.

What is a cyclone shelter?

Offers protection from strong winds, heavy rainfall and storm surges with the goal of minimising casualties.

Elevated to provide refuge above flood waters.

Equipped with basic amenities, e.g water, sanitation facilities and emergency supplies.

What is hazard resistant design?

Structures and systems that can withstand or minimise strong winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges and flooding.
Examples:

Windows and doors and potential weak points, so impact-resistant glass and reinforced door systems are used to minimise the risk of wind driven debris penetrating the building.

How does Japan mitigate against typhoons?

Buildings in areas prone to typhoons in Japan are constructed with advanced engineering to withstand high winds, including reinforced concrete, steel structures, laminated or reinforced glass windows.

How does the USA mitigate against hurricanes?

In parts of the USA (Gulf coast and Atlantic Ocean) there are designated hurricane shelters, often schools or community centres. Residents can search the American Red Cross map to find their nearest open shelter.

How does Bangladesh mitigate against cyclones?

Bangladesh has multi-purpose cyclone shelters that function as schools but can be repurposed into a cyclone shelter, with first aid rooms and solar power backup generators. In flood prone areas buildings are constructed on raised platforms. Bangladesh has invested in an early warning system to allow for evacuation. 

What are levees?

• Levees are embankments or barriers built along rivers, lakes or coastlines to prevent flooding by containing water within designated areas.

• Often used to protect valuable agricultural land and their crops.

• Commonly employed in urban areas to protect against river or coastal flooding and provide a level of security for densely populated regions and critical infrastructure (industrial zone or transport networks). 

What are flood walls?

• Vertical barriers designed to prevent or reduce the flow of floodwaters and protect areas from inundation.

• Used in urban areas to shield critical infrastructure and neighbourhoods.

• Can be a part of channelisation projects (directing water flow and preventing the spread of flood waters into undesirable areas).

• Help control erosion along riverbanks or coastal areas, stabilising the soil and preventing the loss of valuable land.

Name 4 issues with hard engineering for flooding.

• Financial restraints for the Global South (the Thames barrier costed £461 million (£1.49 billion now) to build and costs around £8 million a year to maintain and operate.)

• Insufficient funding can lead to poor construction or inability to address maintenance needs; a breach in a levee or flood wall can result in widespread and rapid flooding.

• Alter natural sedimentation patterns and contribute to erosion, impacting ecosystem health and availability of fertile soil.

• Hard engineering can provide a false sense of security.

How can water management and conservation manage droughts?

Help ensure sustainable water use, reduce the vulnerability of communities to water scarcity and mitigate drought impacts.

Examples:

Investing in infrastructure, e.g. dams or reservoirs, to store water.

To address agriculture’s major water consumption drip irrigation can be implemented to reduce water loss (as the water is directly delivered to the root).

Alleviate pressure of on freshwater resources by treating and reusing wastewater for non-potable purposes (irrigation or industrial processes)

How can adaptive farming techniques manage droughts?

Help farmers to manage water resources more efficiently and sustainably. 

Examples:

Applying mulch (material layer) reduces evaporation and can suppress weed growth.

Afforesting in agricultural landscapes to improve soil structure, enhance water protection adn provide shade.

Drought resistant crops reduce impacts of water scarcity. DroughtGArd is a new genetically modified crop - it is a variety of maize that is engineered to reduce moisture lost through transpiration. 

How can short term aid manage droughts?

Immediate relief and support to communities dancing the impacts of drought

Examples:

Veterinary services to support livestock.

Distribution of food, such as grains, pulses and nutritional supplements.

Potable water through trucking