Editor’s Note: Flood Control- 02
Guyanese Online will be featuring a number of articles and videos on flood and sea defence management. The Dutch (Netherlands) are the most experienced in this technology, as three-quarters of their country is below sea level. They built the framework of Guyana’s drainage systems, as colonial rulers from 1581-1781. This is the second of many articles and videos that will be featured:
Flood control in the Netherlands
Flood control is an important issue for the Netherlands, as about two thirds of its area is vulnerable to flooding, while the country is among the most densely populated on Earth. Natural sand dunes and man-made dikes, dams and floodgates provide defense against storm surges from the sea. River dikes prevent flooding from water flowing into the country by the major rivers Rhine and Meuse, while a complicated system of drainage ditches, canals and pumping stations(historically: windmills) keep the low lying parts dry for habitation and agriculture. Water control boards are the independent local government bodies responsible for maintaining this system.
In modern times, flood disasters coupled with technological development have led to large construction works to reduce the influence of the sea and prevent future floods. [more]
Dutch Water Defence 1 / 2
Dutch Water Defence 2 / 2
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— Post #1169
Georgetown flood – Commentary
Georgetown flood – Commentary
By Stabroek News – March 4, 2012 – Editorial | Comments
As Georgetowners sloshed around in the water last Wednesday, they must have wondered whether it might be worth investing in a wooden boat and paddles, rather than a Toyota or a Hyundai, given that flooding is becoming such a regular feature of existence. With the possible exception of Dhaka in Bangladesh, there can be no other capital city in the world whose thoroughfares and bottom houses disappear below the water level with such expedition after merely a day’s rain. It is true that as Mayor Green reported, 5.5 inches of rain fell in a 24-hour period, but then we have been experiencing the effects of La Niña, a phenomenon to which this country is hardly a stranger.
After the catastrophe of 2005, one might have thought that the authorities would have committed themselves to doing the things which would keep the city – which after all is the centre of government and commerce – largely high and dry, but apparently not. Of course, no one is suggesting that we can eliminate flooding altogether; however, its frequency could surely be reduced as could the severity of its impact. Continue reading →
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