Steemit Engagement Challenge S5-W2: Natural Disaster In My Place.

Floods are an ancient natural phenomenon in the history of Tunisia, as academic studies reveal that floods swept through several Tunisian regions since at least the ninth century, similar to the Kairouan floods in 861 AD, and the island of Djerba experienced massive floods in 1612, leaving huge human and material losses. While the floods in the northwest in 1761 caused severe damage to the wheat crop. The last of which was the Nabeul floods, which we will talk about in this post.

The areas they affect.

These rains usually fall in the last month of August and are good for farmers at the beginning of the growing season. But 2018 witnessed a profound turmoil in the times and amounts of rainfall in Tunisia. The month of August was marked from its beginning by heavy rains all over the country - even the dry areas of it - and the month of September began with floods in Bizerte governorate, and he did not refuse to leave without a disaster in the governorate of Nabeul and a state of alert in the rest of the eastern coast regions.

During the weekend, satellites monitored the transmission of thunder cells from the center of the Mediterranean basin towards the northeastern coast of Tunisia, which led to heavy rains in the Nabeul Governorate.

How do they cause ruin? How are the people affected?

The sudden floods that hit the state of Nabeul (east of the Tunisian capital) killed six people, after a full day of heavy rain that swept the region on Saturday, amid a state of popular anger and government efforts to calm it.

Aerial images showed that large areas of the area, 60 kilometers from the capital, were inundated with water. This has resulted in damage to infrastructure, buildings, roads and agricultural areas.

The death toll rose to six after electricity shocked a resident of the village of Bouarqoub, due to rainfall of more than two hundred millimeters, which is equivalent to half the annual level of rainfall in the region.

In the same town, two sisters, ages 21 and 24, were swept away Saturday evening when they tried to cross a valley to get home from work.

They also died by drowning. The first is in Taklis, seventy kilometers from the capital, and the second is in Bir Bourguiba, near the tourist resort of Hammamet.

The most probably cause of it.

Global warming has a clear impact on the current intensity of floods.” In addition, climatic changes were identified as the main cause of the massive floods that swept the city of Nabeul in 2018, which saw 200 mm of rain fall within hours, which is equivalent to six months of rainfall .

The demographic boom that led to unprecedented urbanization has also deepened housing vulnerability to flooding. This is because homes and infrastructure are located not only in areas at risk of flooding due to their proximity to the basin, but also in the lower region of the valley, which impedes the flow of water and increases the risk of exposure of the dwellings during rainy periods. .

The larger the construction area, the lower the soil's ability to absorb rain, which leads to a noticeable increase in the velocity of runoff.

Was there a prior alert from the Government?

The approach adopted by the state to confront the disaster - natural in its appearance and humanity in its interior - was turbulent and lacked coordination and adherence to the laws in force dedicated to this purpose. It seems that the urban and rural infrastructure was not prepared to withstand such large amounts of rain.

This is due to the lack of preparation of rainwater drainage channels, the construction of roads over natural water courses, and the installation of dams at the level of the flood streams of wadis. Rescue operations were also delayed in the face of rising water levels, despite previous warnings of rain and poor equipment to deal with this natural disaster. There is no doubt that the conflicting statements of officials among themselves and even with themselves (the Minister of Equipment for example) do not bode well in the face of the escalation of extreme weather phenomena.

In fact, it is no secret that officials are aware of the phenomenon of climate change, but they usually shout about the use of the concept in every media intervention. But they always surprise us with the effects of this phenomenon, as if the Tunisian state had not signed international agreements on climate. In light of this global climate crisis, the question remains about the strategies adopted in the face of natural disasters caused by climate change.

What can you do in case of such a situation?

In the event of a flood, it is advised to cut off the electricity, gas and central heating
Preserving and isolating luggage and belongings from places where water is expected to be flooded.

Not to take the risk of crossing flood areas and to ensure the stability of the walls and foundations of homes and shops after the flood ends.

Cleaning of shops, dwellings and their contents after the disappearance of torrents to purify drinking water. Add about 2 drops of odorless chlorine disinfectant to about every liter of water and let it sit for half an hour before taking it.

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Best Regards,
@kouba01