Flooding Case Studies

Flooding Case Studies

1. Bangladesh (South Asia, July and August, 2007, Brahmaputra and Ganges rivers)

   • Causes
     • Heavy rainfall, in one region, 900mm of rain fell in July. The continuous rainfall saturated the soil, increacing runoff into river
     • Melting snow from glaciers in the Himalayan mountains increased the discharge of Brahmaputra river
     • The peak discharge of both rivers happens at the same time, which increaces discharge downstream
   • Primary effects
     • Over 2000 deaths
     • Around 25 million people were made homeless
     • 44 schools were totally destroyed
     • Many factories closed and lots of livestock were killed
     • 112,000 houses were destroyed in India
     • 10,000 km of roads were destroyed
     • Rivers were polluted with rubbish and sewage
   • Secondary effects
     • Children lost out on education - around 4000 schools were effected by the floods
     • Around 100,0000 people caught water-borne diseases like dysentery and diarrhoea
     • Flooded fields reduced basmati rice yields - prices rose 10%
     • Many farmers and factory workers became unemployed
   • Immediate Response
     • Many people didn't evacuate from areas that flooded and blocked transport links slowed down any evacuations that were attempted
     • Other governments and international charities distrabuted food, water and medical aid
     • Thechnical equipment like rescue boats were also sent to help people who were stranded
   • Long-term response
     • International charities have funded the rebuilding of homes and the agriculture and fishing industries
     • Some homes have been rebuild on stilts, so they're less likely to be damaged by future floods

2. Carlisle, England, 8th January 2005, (River Eden)

   • Causes
     • Heavy rainfall - 200mm of rain fell in 36 hours!
     • The continuous rainfall saturated the soil, increasing run-off into the river
     • Carlisle is a large urban area - impermeable materials like concrete increased run-off
     • this caused the discharge of the river Eden to reach 1520 cumecs (its average discharge is 52 cumecs)
   • Primary effects
     • 3 deaths
     • Around 3000 people were made homeless
     • 4 schools were severely flooded
     • 350 businesses were shut down
     • 70, 000 addresses lost power
     • Some roads and bridges were damaged
     • Rivers were polluted with rubbish and sewage
   • Secondary effects
     • Children lost out on education - one school was closed for months
     • Stress-related illnesses increased after the floods
     • Around 3,000 jobs were at risk in businesses affected by floods
   • Immidate responce
     • People were evacuated from areas that flooded
     • Recaption centers were opend around Carsisle to provide food and drink for evacuees
     • Tempoary accommodation was set up for the people made homeless
   • Long-term response
     • community groups were set up to provide emotional support and giver practical help
     • A flood defence scheme has been set up to improve flood defences, E.G build up banks on the River Eden to prevent flooding