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