Do’s and Don’ts – Urban Flood

Urban Flood

Before floods

• Do not litter waste, plastic bags, plastic bottles in drains
• Try to be at home if high tide and heavy rains occur simultaneously
• Listen to weather forecast at All India Radio, Doordarshan. Also, messages by Municipal bodies from time to time and act accordingly.
• Evacuate low lying areas and shift to safer places.
• Make sure that each person has lantern, torch, some edibles, drinking water, dry clothes and necessary documents while evacuating or shifting.
• Make sure that each family member has identity card.
• Put all valuables at a higher place in the house.

In the Flood Situation

• Obey orders by government and shift to a safer place.
• Be at safe place and they try to collect correct information.
• Switch of electrical supply and don’t touch open wires.
• Don’t get carried away by rumors and don not spread rumors.

DO’s

• Switch off electrical and gas appliances, and turn off services off at the mains.
• Carry your emergency kit and let your friends and family know where you are going.
• Avoid contact with flood water it may be contaminated with sewage,oil,chemicals or other substances.
• If you have to walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure that you do not step into deep water, open manholes or ditches.
• Stay away from power lines electrical current can travel through water, Report power lines that are down to the power company.
• Look before you step-after a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris, which may include broken bottles, sharp objects, nails etc.Floors and stairs covered with mud and debris can be slippery.
• Listen to the radio or television for updates and information.
• If the ceiling is wet shut off electricity. Place a bucket underneath the spot and poke a small hole into the ceiling to relieve the pressure.
• Use buckets, clean towels and mops to remove as much of the water from the afflicted rooms as possible.
• Place sheets of aluminum foil between furniture wet carpet.

Don’ts

• Don’t walk through flowing water – currents can be deceptive, and shallow, fast moving water can knock you off your feet.
• Don’t swim through fast flowing water – you may get swept away or struck by an object in the water.
• Don’t drive through a flooded area – You may not be able to see abrupt drop – offs and only half a meter of flood water can carry a car away. Driving through flood water can         also cause additional damage to nearby property.
• Don’t eat any food that has come into contact with flood water.
• Don’t reconnect your power supply until a qualified engineer has checked it. Be alert for gas leaks – do not smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames.
• Don’t scrub or brush mud and other deposits from materials, This may cause further
• Never turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Stay away from ceilings those are sagging.
• Never use TVs, VCRS, CRT terminals or other electrical equipment while standing on wet floors, especially concrete.
• Don’t attempt to remove standing water using your vacuum cleaner.
• Don’t remove standing water in a basement too fast. If the pressure is relieved too quickly it may put undue stress on the walls.