Things to do during a FLOOD

Water, being the most essential element of life is also causing the most damage in recent days. For those living in areas subject to flooding, the effects of being unprepared can range from slight discomfort to devastation. As floods are becoming a part of our culture, it’s our responsibility to be well prepared before the risk occurs. Learn how to protect yourself, your family, pets and property from its effects. Here we’ve prepared a list of things to consider during the flood crisis. It is the time to ASK, LEARN, PLAN and PREPARE.

📋 Planning and Preparation

• Assemble Emergency Kit: first-aid supplies, torch, spare batteries, gloves, special medicine, money, candle, lighter, alum stone
• Move valuable possessions and hazardous substances to flood-free storage: wills, certificates, financial records, electrical appliances, and chemicals
• Collect important numbers: police, ambulance, hospital, gas and electricity services, volunteer groups
• Select a safe place to evacuate: prepare route map, vehicle, dry food, waterproof bag or tent, inflatable boats, umbrellas
• For elderly and special need: list medications, duplicate prescriptions, doctors' information, give out copies

🌊 While in water

• Utility management: Use plug fuses or circuit breakers to control electricity and minimize the danger of short circuits. Close the main gas valve. Protect tanks from contamination by closing water valves.
• Travel in flood conditions: Avoid unnecessary boating, driving, and swimming. Keep a safe distance from power lines.

• Stay informed about the surrounding situation and resources
• Store enough drinking water at home. Keep battery-operated lights. Stock portable tanks to preserve rainwater

🧹 Post Flood Tips

• Stay aware of the potential risk of disease: water-borne diseases (e.g., typhoid, fever, leptospirosis) and vector-borne diseases (e.g., malaria, dengue).
• Disinfect areas that have come in contact with floodwater. Bleach and dehumidify stuffs to prevent mold growth.
• Clean up and destroy mosquito breeding site
• Make sure all electric cutouts are dried up before turning on
• Maintain personal hygiene to prevent germs
• Supervise children not to wade in floodwater
• Be friendly to the environment while disposing of waste

Source: Emergency Management Australia, World Health Organization

Where to get warning information and emergency services?
🕿 Call 333 for information and 999 for emergency service.
🌐 Find all Govt. Information and Service at https://bangladesh.gov.bd/index.php

Stay safe and prepared. Learn and share to raise awareness!

We always find it so beautiful that youth are coming together, hand in hand, to serve the community in this time of crisis. Here we found some volunteer groups to look into:

People's Improvement Society of Bangladesh PISOB
সিয়ানাহ ট্রাস্ট - Sianah Trust
Barakah Organization
As sunnah Foundation

Volunteer For Bangladesh

It's Humanity Foundation

Save Sylhet

Click the links to visit their Facebook platforms. Do share with us your favorite organization as well. What measures you'll take to plan and prepare for a natural crisis? Let us know your opinion in the comments. Stay creative!