Floods are terrible when they happen, mainly in Pakistan, where river overflow and heavy rains are expected. Pakistan faces monsoon rain every year. We do not have any resources to cope with the floods, and the infrastructure of many cities in Pakistan, like Karachi, is not compatible with handling heavy rains, which end in urban flooding.
The flood can ruin homes, wreck roads, hurt people, and damage buildings. Indeed, we cannot stop the floods, and we cannot change the infrastructure overnight. So, in this blog, we will discuss how to remain safe during flooding. Besides this, we have listed some flood prevention products you must have in your home to prevent floods from damaging your property.
Learn the Risk of Flooding
So before we move forward and look at the flood prevention techniques and products, we need to first understand the risk of flooding. It is a must for building owners to learn how likely the floors are in their area. In Pakistan, especially in Karachi, where the drainage system is poor, floods occur frequently. Besides Karachi, in Sindh, it is almost impossible to stop the flood. So in Pakistan, some places are more likely to be riskier than others.
There is so much risk that it can cause. Please study online maps and ask local experts about floods in your area. It will let you know how vulnerable your home is to flooding, which can help you tackle the situation better. It is like getting yourself ready before the flood hits, and you will know how to keep your home and yourself safe and secure.
So before we jump for solutions, it is a must to learn the specific risks associated with flooding. These are some things that you need to consider.
1. Location
The location of your house matters a lot. Is your home located near the canal or river or in the lower area?
2. History of the Area
Has your neighborhood ever experienced flooding in the area? Researching previous flood experiences will give you useful insights and help you adopt flood prevention measures accordingly.
3. Building Type
The type of building also matters a lot. Is your house on a raised platform? Remember, the Pucca construction offers great resistance as compared to the mud houses.
So please consider the points mentioned above as they will help you design flood prevention barriers according to demand and need.
Flood Prevention Tips
So here is a list of basic flood prevention tips and measures that you must adopt to avoid flooding.
1. Create a Flood Emergency Plan
It is a must to make a flood prevention plan in the beginning. Here, it would help if you were ready for what to do when there is flooding. First, think about how to leave a house, who to call for help, and what things you need in case of a high alert. Discuss this plan with your family so they know what to do. So be ready to keep yourself and your family safe during flooding.
Keeping the drain clean is essential if you have a forecast for flooding. Please remove trash and leaves from ditches and drains. Do not pile up leaves in your garden that may clog drains and pipes. So if you have many trees in your backyard, please rake up the leaves through them in bags and leave them for collection.
Also, check your nearby rain drain to see whether it is clean or not. If you see any blockage, please clear it with a rake. If there is a severe blockage, please contact your area municipal community for this.
2. Keep the Drain Clean
3. Keep Outdoor Stuff Safe
If you have any outdoor furniture, such as tables, chairs, garden decor, or others, please tie them down. Also, do not forget to tie down the gardening tools, as they can move and cause damage during floods.
Also, trim the branches and trees that may be harmful during heavy rains and strong winds. In this manner, your things may remain safe and not cause issues if there is a flood.
4. Check for Cracks
Now look for any cracks or gaps in your building foundation. Also, seal up the openings, windows, and doors to keep the water out. Check the foundation and use materials like mortar, caulking, or masonry to fill the cracks. So, doing this regularly as part of your home’s chores will stop water from sweeping in during flooding.
5. Get Flood Alarms
Get flood alarms and place them in the lower part of the home or the basement. These alarms tell you if the water level has started rising so you know the flood is coming.
When you hear the alarm you can take various measures to stop the water from entering your house and keep your valuables safe. So it is like a warning that you get before the flood hits really bad.
Flood Prevention Products in Pakistan
Flood prevention products are the best to keep if your area is more prone to flooding or heavy rain. Following are some recommended flood prevention products to have in your home or office.
1. Flood Prevention Bags
At Water Solutions, you can find top-quality EasyFlo Flood Prevention Bags. The Easy Flo sandless self-inflated flood bag is a device made to protect against floods. It fills up on its own when it gets wet, creating a barrier to stop water from entering. The bag is made of a unique material that soaks up water fast and expands quickly. When it touches water, it blows up by itself to block the floodwater.
2. Sump Pumps
Putting a sump pump in the basement or low parts of the house can prevent water from building up during floods. These pumps remove extra water and move it away from your home, so your basement never floods.
3. Backflow Valves
Adding backflow valves to your sewer lines prevents sewage from returning to your home during floods. So these valves ensure that water flows out of the house but cannot come back through the pipes.
Conclusion: Flood Prevention Measures
Preventing floods is a must in Pakistan to keep homes and families safe. If homeowners buy flood prevention products and do things to stop floods, it can help. But we must know that floods can still happen even if we try to stop them. That is why they must be ready and robust when floods come.
