The violent forces are taking its toll once again as it bashes the Caribbean islands and the state of Florida. After Harvey's devastation in Houston, Texas, Irma, another tropical storm slammed the Eastern part of the country. The phenomenon does not stop there, and yet another storm is brewing and threatens to wreak havoc and destruction on lives and properties.
Helpless against forces of nature
Helpless people cram to grocery stores wiping out stocks that they need to live it out while the storm pummels their homes and buildings. And if that is not enough, rising waters increase the perils of wading through under the tropical storm. There is the aftermath to deal with that left a trail of destruction and death. The lack of food, water, fuel, electricity, medicine and other necessities for survival is prevalent when a storm of this magnitude inflict damage left in its trail.
Better cities to face natural calamities
CNN reports that it's hard to stop the onslaught of natural calamities, but it is possible to prepare inhabitants to face these tragedies by equipping the populace with better homes and societies that could address the needs when disasters strike.
The initiative to rebuild improved living conditions ready to face situations such as those inflicted by hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
Sturdier homes are needed and perhaps relocation of cities to higher elevations that are not prone to floods and rising waters. The need for coastal communities to stay away from the coastlines frequented by tropical storms. It may be a problem for people dependent on the fishing industry, tourism, and other occupations along the shores, but it saves lives. A strategy like this is successful along the coastlines of Sri Lanka where storm surges and high winds are frequent.
‘Build back better approach' encouraged with recovery efforts
The wealthy neighborhoods of Miami have sound defenses against floods and rising waters when devastating storms lash out at cities and counties.
The effort is still not enough against the twirling monsters that bring along heavy monsoon rains. Better flood control infrastructure is what the areas need together with its recovery efforts, reports the Time.
With incidents of massive flooding across the planet, Piet Dircke, Global Program Director for water management at Arcadis consultancy firm says that the incidents are a combination of climate change, the rise in sea levels, land subsidence, and urbanization. Dircke adds that regions that experience flood devastation are now working together with companies that build better flood control structures.
Dircke advises that the first thing that governments should do to be resilient from floods is to invest in flood protection infrastructures.
The budget allocation for this project pays off as proven in regions where it occurred.
The second step is to provide water passages. Dikes, floodwalls, or water barriers help in controlling rising waters, but river flows and rainfall events still occur adding to flooding incidents. The rain that tantamount to up to 60 inches proved that the Houston, Texas event was due to rain, says Jeff Opperman, Global Freshwater Lead Scientist of the WWF.
The third advice that government received from the flood water management consultant is to avoid places that are prone to the dangers of flooding. The suggestion is the most difficult for governments to implement as this is where the poorest populace reside.
Giving space for rivers to flow means rehabilitating the residents of these areas. It means displacing thousands of people and provide them with a relocation site.
Flooding may be unstoppable but at least secure the most primary powerhouse of the community like telecoms, water sources and treatments, hospitals, public transports and other facilities. Protection of the necessary infrastructures will help ease the burden brought about by the devastation of floods, high winds, and rain.