What to do in case of flood or mudflow

A flood is the inundation of an area by water as a result of heavy rains, prolonged rains, snowfalls, rapid snowmelt, wind-driven surges onto the coast, etc., causing property damage, harm to human health, or even death.

To ensure the safety of yourself and your loved ones during the threat or occurrence of a flood, it is necessary to take a number of preventative measures, including:

• Build homes and outbuildings in safe locations (avoid building in river floodplains and low-lying areas prone to flooding);
• Build stable structures with fortifications (waterproofing, basement protection, installation of protective barriers);
• Study potential flood zones and safe elevated areas in your area in advance;
• Train family members in swimming, flood safety precautions, and basic first aid;
• Ensure the availability of transportation or rescue equipment (boat, life jackets, rope).
• Develop a family evacuation plan and determine a meeting point in case of an emergency;
• Regularly monitor hydrological forecasts and emergency service announcements;
• Prepare an emergency kit with documents, water, non-perishable food, a first aid kit, a flashlight, and chargers;
• Store valuables and documents in waterproof packaging;
• Do not ignore alarms and evacuate promptly if a threat arises.

The mudflows are short-term mud-stone streams moving in separate shafts, it is typical for the mountainous areas.

They are formed as a result of the breakthrough of mountain lakes, overflowing with water from melted snow, ice, precipitation.

The occurrence of mudflows in the mountainous regions of Kazakhstan is possible in the warm season (May - September).

The height of the mudflow can reach up to 10-20 meters (in some cases up to 40-50 meters), the speed approaches the speed of the flow of mountain rivers (3-5 and more m/s).

It is practically impossible to stay alive, being in the path of a mudflow, therefore, the prevention of the mudflow danger is of particular importance.

The mudflow hazard signs:

• the fallout in the mudflow-prone basin of the prolonged torrential rains;
• the sharp and prolonged increase in the air temperature in the mudflow-prone head-rivers, causing the overflow of the mountain lakes and creating the danger of their breakthrough;
• the sharp drop in the water level in the lake or the formation of the craters on its surface, indicating a breakthrough of the lake dam (dam);
• the earthquake leading to the destruction of the lake dam (dam).

The signs of immediate and imminent mudflow threat:

• the cessation or sharp decrease in the runoff in the mudflow-hazardous channel, which indicates the accumulation of water in the moraine-glacial complex;
• the occurrence of the hum in the mudflow-prone head-river channel;
• shaking the soil from the impacts of stones carried by the mudflows;
• the appearance of a cloud of the mud dust formed from the shock wave in front of the mudflow;
• the formation of the mud-floods characterized by the increased water turbidity.

If you receive an early flood warning, you should:

- Turn on the television or radio and listen to the announcement;

- Turn off the gas, electricity, and water in your home;

- Extinguish any burning stoves;

- Move valuable household items to upper floors or attics;

- Board up ground-floor windows and doors with boards or plywood to prevent glass breakage and floating debris from entering the home;

- Unlock the latches on doors in sheds where pets are kept;

- Stock up on food and water in sealed containers;

- Take documents and essential items with you;

In case of a flash flood: Until help arrives:

- Evacuate to the nearest safe location;

- Remain there until the water recedes;

- Signal: during the day, use a white or colored light; at night, use a flashlight;

If self-evacuation is necessary:

- Evacuate when the water reaches your level;

- Use a makeshift raft;

- Quickly find the nearest higher ground.

Once in the water:

- Push away dangerous objects with sharp edges;

- Hold on to floating objects;

- Try to tie a raft from floating objects and climb onto it.

How to behave in the mudflow-prone areas:

• keep an eye on media reports about the situation in the mountains;
• leave the mudflow-prone channel if there is an intense rainstorm in the upper reaches of the mudflow-prone basin;
• do not approach a moving mudflow closer than 50-70 m;
• do not stop near the steep cliffs and steep slopes, as the shaking during the passage of a mudflow may result in a landslide or rock fall;
• move along the mudflow channels with an interval of at least 20-30 meters between the people;
• do not stop for rest and do not set up a tent camp near the mudflow-prone channels, on the lake weirs (dams) and under them;
• if you see the signs of mudflow, immediately move as far away from the channel as possible up the mountain slopes;
• do not descend into the mudflow bed after the mudflow is passed - another shaft may follow it;
• take a maximum caution when descending into the channel and when driving along it after the mudflow is passed, especially in areas of mudflow incisions and potholes;
• It is recommended to stay on the moraine-glacial complex and move along it during periods when the risk of mudflows is absent or unlikely, preferably at subzero air temperatures;
• do not navigate the lakes formed by unstable debris or by a moving glacier or avalanche.