University of Medical Sciences and Technology Khartoum - Sudan EFFECTS OF TORRENTIAL RAIN ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH Presented by Dr. Alteib Yousif Abdelgadir Public and Tropical Health Master Program - Patch 11 April 2012
University of Medical Sciences and Technology
Khartoum - Sudan
EFFECTS OF TORRENTIAL
RAIN ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH
Presented by Dr. Alteib Yousif Abdelgadir
Public and Tropical Health Master Program - Patch 11
April 2012
SESSION OBJECTIVES
By the end of the session, participants are expected to:
• Define possible causes of torrential rains.
• Identify problems that could happen due to torrential rains.
• Understand the effects of torrential rains on Health.
• Be aware about possible ways of prevention of torrential rains.
INTRODUCTION
• Torrential rains, flash floods, and their
effects, frequently make headlines.
• Forecasts of torrential rains possibility of
flash floods. However, all too often, flash
floods occur before people can prepare for
them.
• Torrential rains and flash floods could be a
natural disaster that takes lives and destroys
homes and communities.
CAUSES OF TORRENTIAL
RAIN (FLASH FLOOD)Associated factors:
• Rain density, time and duration
• Speed and force of rains and
floods
• Drainage of fallen water (water
pathway, water basin)
Cont - CAUSES OF TORRECTIAL RAIN (FLASH FLOOD)
Torrential rain most probably
happen due to climate changes.
Heavy rainfall usually occurs
during:
• Thunderstorms
• tropical storms and hurricanes.
EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM
Destruction
Erosion
Diseases and impacts
Cont - EXTENT OF THE
PROBLEM
• Rain can break dams and levees:
• Images of cars swept away, trees
uprooted and buildings swamped
illustrate the power of flash floods
to sweep away everything in their
path within a very short period of
time.
EFFECTS ON HEALTH
Direct effects on public health:
• Destruction Trauma Death
Indirect effects on public health:
• Erosion of lands Negative
economical effects poverty Food
insecurity malnutrition, low
immunity and communicable diseases
Cont - EFFECTS ON HEALTH
• Impaired water drainage water
stagnation water contamination
diseases (water born and water
related diseases)
• Mold grows in flooded houses
added health problems (allergies, ...)
Cont - EFFECTS ON HEALTH
• Destroy sewage systems raw
sewage to flow into local water
systems contaminated drinking
water severe public health
problems, such as cholera and other
waterborne diseases.
Cont - EFFECTS ON HEALTH
• Destruction of buildings spreads
toxins into the water system (paints,
gasoline and pesticides) death of
fish and destruction of river, lake and
coastal ecosystems.
Cont - EFFECTS ON HEALTH
• Destruction and interruption of gas
and electricity supplies impaired
transport system difficult
evacuation for emergency services to bring in aid.
PREVENTION
• Prevention of climate changes causes
(environment protection).
• Effective drainage system.
• Community Based Disaster Risk
reduction Projects.
• Rapid and effective intervention
systems.
REFERENCES
• Thinkquest; Natural Disasters; Flash Floods• Tulane University; Flood Hazards• International Rescue Committee; IRC Responds to
Cholera Outbreak• Internet: The Effects of Flash Floods | eHow.com
http://www.ehow.com/info_8028650_effects-flash-floods.html#ixzz1sUPxhMff
www.ifrc.org/en/nouvelles/nouvelles/africa/sudan/
End of presentation
THANKS