Floods - World Health Organization (WHO) Floods are the most frequent type of natural disaster and occur when an overflow of water submerges land that is usually dry Floods are often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt or a storm surge from a tropical cyclone or tsunami in coastal areas Floods can cause widespread devastation, resulting in loss of life and damages to personal property and critical public health infrastructure
Flood response through community engagement Heavy rainfall and the collapse of an upstream dam on 21 July 2024 led to a flash flood that affected around 8800 persons living in Kirandul town in the aspirational block (administrative division) of Kuakonda in Dantewada district in Chhattisgarh The flooding filled homes with water, mud and debris, and disrupted electricity and drinking water services
Floods: How to protect your health How do I protect my health in a flood? Since floods can potentially increase the transmission of water- and vector-borne diseases, such as typhoid fever, cholera, malaria, and yellow fever, among others, it is important to know your risk and protect your water sources
Bangladesh Flood 2022: WHO Collaboration with DGHS MOHFW The dreadful flood in Bangladesh is deeply concerning, and I am saddened by the suffering of millions of flood-affected people in the country My prayers and heartfelt condolence go to them and to those who have lost loved ones,” said Dr Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative in Bangladesh, World Health Organization The floods started on 17 May 2022 affecting Sylhet and Sunamganj districts of
Public health advice on protecting your health before, during and after . . . Leave doors and windows open whenever possible and safe, to dry out your home Do not use petrol or diesel generators indoors Wear a face mask, rubber boots, waterproof gloves and an apron while cleaning Keep children away from flood-contaminated and muddy areas until a week after the water has receded
Flooded but not defeated: the residents of Budapest navigate . . . The flood peaks in Budapest, but the emergency is far from over Fortunately, the floodwaters in Budapest are beginning to recede A retired man who lives 250 metres from the river’s edge shows how high up on his wall the Danube’s water was the day before
Rising Waters, Rising Challenges-WHOs Response to Severe Flooding in . . . In the third week of August 2024, heavy rainfall and upstream water releases caused significant flooding across multiple districts in Bangladesh, particularly affecting 11 districts in the eastern regions The districts of Feni, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, and Cumilla experienced the most severe impacts According to the National Disaster Response Coordination Center (NDRCC), approximately 5 8
Pakistan crisis - World Health Organization (WHO) WHO is responding as Pakistan is affected by massive monsoon rainfall and unprecedented levels of flooding and landslides Damage to health infrastructure, shortages of health workers, and limited health supplies are disrupting health services Significant public health threats include the spread of water- and vector-borne diseases, with outbreaks of diarrheal diseases, skin infections
Impact in 2022 - Pakistan - World Health Organization (WHO) WHO prevents disease outbreaks in flood-affected Pakistan The devastating floods in Pakistan and their aftermath severely disrupted the delivery of health services, with 10% of the country’s health facilities either damaged or destroyed and more than eight million people in urgent need of health assistance