3. Floods
⚫ A flood is an overflow of water that submerges land which is
normally dry. The European Union (EU) Floods
Directive defines a flood as a covering by water of land not
normally covered by water.
⚫ Floods usually cause large-scale loss of human life and wide
spread damage to properties. This damage is known as flood
damage.
4. Why floods occur ?
⚫ Firstly, it occurs due to heavy rain and storms
during the monsoon season that leaves a lot of
rainwater behind on land
⚫ This may in turn cause flash floods, where
floods move at great speeds, causing
destruction and casualties
⚫ A flood occurs when water overflows or inundates
land that's normally dry. This can happen in a
multitude of ways. Most common is when rivers
or streams overflow their banks. Excessive rain,
a ruptured dam or levee, rapid ice melting in the
mountains, or even an unfortunately placed
beaver dam can overwhelm a river and send it
spreading over the adjacent land, called a
floodplain.
5. CASE STUDY OF MAHARASHTRA Floods in 2005
• The 2005 Maharashtra floods refers to the flooding of many parts of the
Maharashtra including large areas of the metropolis Mumbai a city located on
the coast of the Arabian Sea.
• The average rain fall of Mumbai is 242.42mm.
• The floods were caused by the heaviest ever recorded 24- hour rainfall figure
of 994 mm.
6. FACTORS AGGRAVATED THE DISASTER IN MUMBAI
1. Antique drainage system
2. Uncontrolled, unplanned development in Northern Suburbs
3. Destruction of mangrove ecosystems
7. Casualty and Damage
Loss of life
At least 500 people lost their lives in the flashfloods and the landslides.
• 24 deaths caused by a stampede which occurred due to a false tsunami
rumor at a slum in Vile Parle.
• Residents of low lying coastal areas, who had faced the floods just 48 hours back,
panicked and rushed towards higher ground.
• 16 deaths due to trapped vehicles from suffocation in cars after water levels
rose rapidly, preventing escape.
• 12 deaths due to Electrocution, 5 due to Wall collapse, 25 most deaths were
due to water borne diseases.
8. Medical Care and Hospitals
• 437 Primary Health Centers, rural hospitals, and residential premises for health
personnel were damaged by flooding
Education and Schools
• More than 20,000 classrooms damaged and
• 97 school buildings collapsed
Communications and Information
• Telephone exchanges came under water the
• Phones stopped working
• Amateur Ham Radio Operators helped established radio contacts during the
emergencies
9. Rescue and Relief Measures
• The Government machinery along with the local offices and Municipal
Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) immediately got into action
for the desired relief and rescue.
• The Fire Brigade and the "Rescue Teams" of MCGM undertook 282 major
and minor rescue operations.
• The Municipal machinery tries to evacuation of people through boats and
buses.
• Evacuated people were sheltered in public buildings including schools.
10. • Free food grains were provided by the Government of Maharashtra [GOM]
and MCGM as well as voluntary NGOs and individuals.
• 3,700 stranded people including rescuing school children as well as rescuing
people from 140 marooned BEST buses.
• Food packets and drinking water was arranged for the stranded people
with the help of NGOs and Social Organizations.
• Over 25,000 people were provided relief at 15 locations across the city.
• Affected people were shifted to nearby Municipal schools, local buildings and
halls on 27 July. 12000 food packets were distributed in City.
