How to survive floods in Pakistan?

Around 300 people have died by the floods in Azad Kashmir, Punjab, KPK areas of Pakistan. Most people died because of the negligence of the government to carry out rescue efforts soon. Others died because influential inundated villages to save their own farms, buildings and factories.

Most of those who died could have been saved. Here is why:

1. Buy a inflatable raft/boat and a air pump:

In Pakistan floods are not a new type of disaster. They happen almost every two year and in the end people blame the Pakistani government that the government is responsible for the floods. Though, it is right that the government is responsible but will we not save ourselves if government doesn't want us? We will! And for that purpose the citizens should keep inflated boats or rafts for themselves in case they are confronted by floods.

A regular raft cost around 16k for four passengers. The amount can increase to 50k for 10-12 people but for small families that live on the river side buying a small raft will be a plausible idea even it is is not used. The good thing with rafts is that they can be kept without usage and they don't get ruined unlike boats that get rusted.

At the same time it is necessary that people have their own air pump. The air pump is around 3k on symbios but it can be bought at much cheaper rates.

2. Construct house with iron base:

Many houses break in floods because they are made of bricks. Mainly in Punjab and KPK the houses are made of bricks and they can't bear the pressure of flood water that collides with the walls. It is better to construct new houses with iron bars that are much stronger that brick walls.

Another thing that should be kept in mind is that many people died because of the walls of their own house not because of drowning in floods this year in Pakistan. The heavy rainfall damaged the walls and the roof collapsed. This was the sheer reason of major deaths.

Once again, this is the job of government but what if government doesn't do it? will we entrust our lives to government? We certainly can't do that.

3. Keep all important documents in one place

In cases of flood warnings issued by the Pakistani government most people start looking for their necessary documents. It is better to keep all the necessary documents in one place so in the above case one can easily evacuate the place and move to higher place.

This not only works in flood but in other natural or man made disasters. Remember the Zarbeazb operation? Many IDPs were not being registered just because they had forgotten their ID cards at home.

4. Keep a disaster kit:

A disaster kit is a combination of many items. For starters it should include a first aid box, couple of flash lights, canned food and multiple gallons of water that can be carried for distances.

A good idea is to keep all these things together with the manual that has all instructions about locking the house, turning of electricity, gas and water.

While evacuating the house the best way is to check the manual for instructions.

5. Raise furniture on ground floor:

The furniture should be raised to higher ground. In fact in areas that are more sensitive to floods should have lighter furniture on th ground floor so that it can be moved to second floor if needed.

A tank filled with fuel should also be kept for emergencies. These emergencies can be anything from small to large disasters.

Summing it all up, it can be said one can effectively survive a flood like situation in Pakistan following these instructions.