IN CASE OF FLOOD
Natural disaster in Malaysia such as floods make an enormous impact on the environment and society. Floods are not only troublesome and life wrecking they are known to increase the transmission of water-borne disease and vector-borne disease. A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land , a deluge. In the sense of “ flowing water ” the word is applied to the inflow of the tide , as opposed to the outflow or “ ebb ”. It is due to the mass of water within a body of water such as a river or lake , exceeding the total capacity of the body and as a result some of the water lows or sits outside of the normal perimeter of the body. It can also occur in rivers , when the strength of the river is so high it flows right out of the river channel, usually at corners or meanders. These of course are not applicable in such instances as sea flooding. Flood are the most frequent type of disaster worldwide. Thus , it is often difficult or impossible to obtain insurance policies which cover destruction of property due to flooding , since floods are a relatively predictable risk . A flood can cause by blocked sewage pipes and waterways , such as the Malaysia flood. Typical effects from flood :
1) Primary effects
- Physical damage – Structures such as buildings get damage due to flood water. Landslides can also take place.
- Casualties – People and livestock die due to drowning. It can also lead to epidemics and diseases.
2) Secondary effects
- Water supplies – contamination of water . Clean drinking water becomes scarce.
- Disease – Unhygienic conditions. Spread of water-borne .
- Crops and food supplies – Shortage of food crops can be caused due to loss of entire harvest.
3) Tertiary / long –term effects
- Economic – Economic hardship , due to e.g. temporary decline in tourism , rebuilding costs, food immediately effected by the risk of severe weather events.
- Psychological – Loss of loved ones etc.
Natural disaster in Malaysia such as floods make an enormous impact on the environment and society. Floods are not only troublesome and life wrecking they are known to increase the transmission of water-borne disease and vector-borne disease. A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land , a deluge. In the sense of “ flowing water ” the word is applied to the inflow of the tide , as opposed to the outflow or “ ebb ”. It is due to the mass of water within a body of water such as a river or lake , exceeding the total capacity of the body and as a result some of the water lows or sits outside of the normal perimeter of the body. It can also occur in rivers , when the strength of the river is so high it flows right out of the river channel, usually at corners or meanders. These of course are not applicable in such instances as sea flooding. Flood are the most frequent type of disaster worldwide. Thus , it is often difficult or impossible to obtain insurance policies which cover destruction of property due to flooding , since floods are a relatively predictable risk . A flood can cause by blocked sewage pipes and waterways , such as the Malaysia flood. Typical effects from flood :
1) Primary effects
- Physical damage – Structures such as buildings get damage due to flood water. Landslides can also take place.
- Casualties – People and livestock die due to drowning. It can also lead to epidemics and diseases.
2) Secondary effects
- Water supplies – contamination of water . Clean drinking water becomes scarce.
- Disease – Unhygienic conditions. Spread of water-borne .
- Crops and food supplies – Shortage of food crops can be caused due to loss of entire harvest.
3) Tertiary / long –term effects
- Economic – Economic hardship , due to e.g. temporary decline in tourism , rebuilding costs, food immediately effected by the risk of severe weather events.
- Psychological – Loss of loved ones etc.
Flooding has been shown to cause epidemics of water-borne and vector-borne disease . This is the most common flood – related disease. Water-borne diseases such as cholera , hepatitis A and typhoid . These diseases are caused by drinking contaminated water. There is also an increased risk of infection through direct contact with contaminated water ( not by drinking ) .These include wound infections , dermatitis , conjunctivitis , ear , nose and throat infections . malaria and dengue fever. Vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue . The vector here is the mosquito , which tends to breed during floods. During heavy rainfall , water accumulates in even more places . Stagnant water encourages mosquitoes to breed , especially when the flood water recede . Usually malaria epidemics occur around six to eight week after a flood. The risk of mosquito disease outbreaks is also enhanced because of human behavioural changes. If you are displaced and forced to sleep outside or in tents without mosquito nets or aerosols , the risk of getting bitten is a lot higher.
Other flood – related diseases which are not mentioned in the article is Leptospirosis . This disease that can be contracted through the skin or mucous membranes ( like the eye ) .Outbreaks are usually caused by exposure to water contaminated with the urine of infected animals such as rodents, cattle , pigs , and wild animals. Human become infected through urine-contaminated water, food, or soil either by drinking , eating , skin or mucous membrane contact. The health costs of inaction will be the incidence of injuries and death. Leptospirosis can be treated with antibiotics such as doxycycline and penicillin.
The only way to curb the water –borne and vector-borne disease is besides moving to a safe area , you should only drink boiled chlorinated water . Don’t drink water from rivers or wells after a flood. Make sure your food is prepare with the same water . Wash your hands if you touch contaminated water.
Tq.
Sincerely ,
Siti Norain G 74489
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