Introduction

Flood is one of the natural disasters that need attention for giving a threat to our citizen's economy and life.According to a research made by World Meteorology Organisation (WMO), flood is the third biggest disaster that caused death and loss of things.The flood problem in our country will remain continuous because of the monsoon rainy season and flashflood although the goverment has taken structured and unstructured step in lessening the flood effect. The declining population and development that is focused at the river area that is prone to flood worsen the situation flood frequent occurrence decline because of the land-usage changes and the drainage system that is blocked as the effect of development. In the last decade, we had experienced big flood. There were 2.7 million people or 18% of the overall population were involved in these floods although there are only 29,000 km square feet area or about 9% of our country's area. According to JICA, in 1981 the total loss was 100 million. The government has taken a few steps in controlling floods such as setting up a supervising team, flood insulator projects, flood alert system in the flood prone area and also the riverbanks management to avoid the loss of properties and life.

As a civillian, we should take an early action in preparing for the flood.Attached is the extract and cartoons from Jabatan Pertahanan Awam on Guide in Facing Flood:

Before Flood


Before Flood - Flood Sign

During Flood - Inside Home

During Flood - Outside Home

During Flood - Inside Vehicle

During Flood - During Evacuation

After Flood

After Flood - Entering a Building

After Flood - Checking the Dangers

Facing Flood Cartoons Picture

JPS Duty Facing Flood Cartoons Picture

Before Flood

• Get the information at your place or residence.

• Be aware of the flood siren, how it is alarmed and the information of the local flood preparation.

• Check the entire duct. Clean any blockage and make sure it is closed that the flood water do not pass through it.

• Check the evacuation centre list and the disaster aid centre near your residence, make a plan and emergency evacuation exercise.

• Prepare the first aid kit.

• Make sure all family members know how to take action if emergency occurs at home.

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Before Flood- Flood Sign

• Listen to announcement from the radio station.

• Fill in all containers, sinks or bathtub with clean water.During flood, water supply might be contaminated.

• Brought in all the furniture and things outside the house.

• Keep all the important document in a safe place or in a water proof case.

• Always get ready to switch off the electrical appliances, main source of water and gas.

• Tell your neighbour and get ready to evacuate.

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During Flood - Inside the House

• Listen to announcement from the radio station.

• Prepare the first aid kit.

• If given an order to evacuate, do so.

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During Flood - Outside the House

• Go to a higher and safer palce.

• Avoid flood area.

• Do not loafing around flood area, whether with a boat or walking.

• Do not touch any cables or wires.

• Take care of the children. Do not let them play the drain, river or mine.
• Do not drink flood.

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During Flood - Inside the Vehicle

• Do not go through the flood area, turn back instead.

• If your vehicle stops, lock your vehicle and leave.Go to safer palce.

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During Flood - Evacuation

• Evacuate immediately if told to do so.

• Evacuate early before flood or during the day.

• Follow the instruction from the authorities.

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After Flood

• Listen to announcement from the radio or wait the instruction from the authorities, return back home only if you are told to do so or situation is safe.

• Offer help to your neighbour or the disable (senior citizen, children or the disabled).

• Check your house, look for cracked sign or any unsafe signs.

• Do not enter your house if it is still in the flood and beware of the unseen dangers.

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After Flood - Entering the Building

• Wear your shoes.

• Check the damage on the wall, floor, doors and windows.

• Check the signs of poisonous and dangerous insects or animals.

• Beware of the crack ceilings and wall plaster that might fall down.

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After Flood - Checking the Safety

• Check any gas pipe that might leak.

• Check all electrical wires that is soaked in the flood.

• Check the electrical appliances that sank in the flood.

• Check the inflammable substance that might flow inside the house during flood (petrol, diesel and etc)

• Throw away all foods that is contaminated by flood water including canned foods.

• Check your septic tank to avoid the biology dangers.

• Report any damage to public facilities to the authorities.

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