Floods have become a major problem in our country in recent years. Some part of the country or the other is flooded every year during the rainy season.

1. This causes severe damage to people, crops and livestock. 

2. Floods affect the poorest most. It is therefore the responsibility of the government to build safe housing for all people. 

3. Usually immediately after the floodwaters recede, all sources of water are polluted and become unsafe for drinking. But people especially the poor are forced to use the polluted water and face the risk of several diseases like cholera, dysentery, jaundice, etc. 

4. Only those with resources are able to arrange for safe bottled water to drink. Since roads are damaged and it rains heavily, bringing in relief to the worst affected areas is not easy. Here people are forced to rely on their own resources to save themselves. 

5. While the immediate damage of the floods is also heavy – like loss of lives, Crops, houses, etc. But more importantly, they also cause long term damages. 

6. For example, the life savings of most of the poor stored in the houses in the form of food, tools, cattle, small shops, vehicles, boats, nets, etc., are destroyed. 

7. To go back to their work they need to buy all these again. Many families also lose their working members. 

8. Daily wage workers face loss*of work for several weeks till normally returns and therefore loss of livelihood. Farmers too not only face loss of crops but also permanent damage to their lands.