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How to Prevent Floods in MEDCs & LEDCs

Flooding occurs when areas that usually remain dry are inundated by water. Excessive rainfall and changes in the surface flow of waters causes river water to spill over from its normal flow channel into surrounding settlements. More Economically Developed Countries and Less Economically Developed Countries require different approaches to flood prevention. MEDCs have better technology and more money for engineering options that involve changing the river and landscape characteristics. LEDCs that do not have access to these resources find it easier to adopt soft engineering options that involve creating an ecologically sensitive, long-term flood prevention plan.

Instructions

Preventing Floods in MEDCs
- 1
  Collect data of past flooding events in the area. Collate information to map areas that are at a risk of flooding. Use techniques such as catchment modeling to determine the precise size and shape of the river's drainage basin. This knowledge will help to predict floods well in advance.
- 2
  Study the course of the river channel. Alter the course of the river by straightening the channel of flow, or by diverting the channel to areas located in a direction far from settlements.
- 3
  Examine the river dimensions in terms of the depth and width of the channel. Carry out operations to deepen or widen the flow channel if the channel is shallow in depth or narrow in width,
- 4
  Build dams along river courses to hold excess water. Release the water in a controlled manner to prevent a sudden outflow that can cause flooding.
- 5
  Exert strict control over urban development that takes place in the floodplains. Educate people about the need to avoid construction in such areas.
Preventing Floods in LEDCs
- 6
  Study past flood data to identify the rivers that flood most often, and the time periods when these events occur.
- 7
  Construct levees or embankments on both sides of rivers at risk of flooding to prevent the flood water from spilling over to settled areas.
- 8
  Undertake tree planting drives near rivers. The greater the number of trees in an area, the greater is the soil's ability to intercept rainwater. This helps to control soil erosion.
- 9
  Identify and treat sloping areas that promote the downward flow of water. Set up reservoirs in these areas to trap soil and debris. This prevents their sedimentation into the river basin. As a consequence, the river channel remains deep enough to prevent rapid flooding.

Nature