Drought, land degradation and desertification on one side and floods on the other are extreme happenings across the world which cause colossal destruction of plant, animal and human life to a point of no return. These are attributed to adverse changes in climate with attendant global warming. Notwithstanding that matter and energy are dynamic, it is essential to make the life of all, happy, healthy, peaceful, and progressive with time. Plants also have feelings, ability to respond to care, comfort, company and communication as proven by late Dr. J.C.Bose an eminent scientist in India par excellence, time independent. Therefore, it is imperative that humans need to strive to cause quality of life to sustain on Earth with advances made in science and technology across the world. In this context, global land, water, and air management become imperative. Finally, the pertinent question is: IS IT POSSIBLE TO WIPE OUT DROUGHT, DEGRADATION, DESERTIFICATION AND FLOODS FROM THE WORLD? IF SO, HOW AND WHEN?
Today, in the face of climate change, it is high time to put in place sustainable solutions to end the dramatic consequences of drought on families. To stop this phenomenon, the following is necessary: an evolution of development policies, prevention work, training and awareness among the population, the establishment of new agricultural practices. Awareness-raising among the population is also among the series of important measures. Indeed, drought is a relatively slow phenomenon that can be anticipated. The creation of a drought management committee, with dedicated emergency funds, will provide guidance to families and follow up on the alerts by putting in place the necessary measures. It is also important to include in this awareness-raising component the training of communities in drought management and ways to preserve their environment, in collaboration with local partners. Finally, the introduction of new agricultural practices is the final step in the sustainable fight against drought. The development of crops resistant to harsh climatic conditions, the reduction of dependence on rainwater through irrigation systems, the increase and diversification of food resources can be cited as sustainable and inexpensive solutions.
The flood problem is important. To be able to limit the damage, it is necessary to know the phenomena well and to intervene on all levers by a global approach: prevention, forecasting, protection. And a slogan: slow down the flow to avoid too much flooding. The most effective way to avoid flooding is to ... not expose yourself to it. Easy proposal, but still needs to know precisely how far water can go up, including for major events but very infrequent. Flooding of land comes from overflowing streams. This phenomenon, the flood, corresponds to the normal functioning of a watercourse. The bed in which it usually flows, also called minor bed, is then much too narrow compared to the volumes in play. The stream will then overflow in a larger bed: the major bed, also called flood zone or zone of flood expansion. Knowing the delineation of this flood zone and its water depth during floods is essential to avoid in the future to establish facilities or develop activities in these areas. In recent years, runoff management has consisted of evacuating water. This is obviously not without consequences on the sites downstream and more generally on the scale of a territory. Slow management must therefore be put in place. To manage this flow, it is necessary to intervene at the level of each element of the ground being able to participate in this phenomenon. But this time, the goal is to improve retention by limiting evacuation to avoid amplifying floods. It will be for the same event to "smooth" the flood avoiding a sharp rise in water but rather less important phenomena but longer.
Regards
Dr. Achour had many excellent points. To a substantial extent, these issues have always existed, and we as humans have expanded the problems by not being responsible in locating facilities and structures, and managing to such intensity as to alter normal function and conditions, in some cases making the effects of floods and droughts worse. Can we stop weather related calamities, probably no. But we can so much better today, forecast their possibility, recognize and respond to risk, develop and respond to emergency plans. Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of the risks or recognize what to do to ameliorate effects.
I pray for the Bahamas. The Governor said most of the newer buildings were designed for 150 mph winds. Hurricane Dorian has 180 with 200 mph gusts, with substantial storm surge. There was warning, but models underestimated how severe. Climate change cannot be blamed for every weather issue, but it can contribute both to frequency and severity.
Properly placed, designed and maintained dams with emergency overflow channels can help delay or detain flood peak waters, unless they fail. Dams may reduce the flood peak, but can sometimes increase the time areas are flooded from the after event dam releases. In most cases, about anything we design relative to floods has some potential or risk to overtop or fail. A structural failure can be worse than any extreme we could imagine or design for.
More than ever before, it is prudent to be aware of weather forecast. Drain portions of dams and ponds prior to severe events. Have adequate clay core in earthen dams, and emergency overflow channel to avoid dam overflow. Use native and other non invasive plants that are well suited to conditions of wet or dry where possible. Maintain forests where practical to help absorb Stormwater and release it slower, avoiding conditions of gullying or linear channels that accelerate floodwaters and increase peak toward downstream lowlands. Recognize that braided streams frequently flood, and rather than channelization of flow, these areas might serve a purpose of temporary delay or storage of floodwaters. Allowing them to be retained as deep rooted forests can anastomose braided system, increase channel stability and roughness.
Hopefully we we will continue to be concerned and learn new ways to survive, be happy, be safe, communicate and help each other.
You might be interested in watching this video ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpTHi7O66pI
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