Due to rapid growth in Indian economy in the past decade, there has been a spurt in civil construction activity involving apartment blocks, commercial buildings, factory sheds, warehouses and the like. Many of these construction works have involved reclamation of wastelands or marshy areas, which hitherto served as “sponges” absorbing large quantities of storm water. Massive construction has also overwhelmed existing drains whether natural or artificial in many sites. This coupled with unseasonal heavy rains have posed challenges of water logging in construction resulting in damages to excavated structures, construction material and equipment.

This brochure discusses some of the general mitigation measures to be adopted. These have been drawn up based on our experience in handling various flood and inundation claims involving various sites.

COMMON CAUSES OF FLOODING

	Excessive unseasonal rainfall
	Inadequate storm water drainage (major reason)
	Close proximity to a river or a lake, which already might have been in full capacity, and unable to
	receive any water drained from the site
	Water logging and inundation

There are many approaches to prevention of flood and inundation incidents. Some measures involve passive techniques and some involve active elements like construction of dykes or walls to prevent floods.

Following are measures classified as non-structural measures, structural measures and human element measures:

NON-STRUCTURAL MEASURES

	These measures involve natural means of absorption of floodwater by increasing percolation of
	water into the ground. This can be achieved to some extent by harnessing the storage effect of ground, sub-soil, vegetation etc.
	In case of manufacturing plant, shut off electrical supply of electrical installations, which are likely
	to be affected by flood
	In case of residential occupancies, shut off main electrical supply to avoid short circuiting and accidents
	In case of large warehouses in flood prone areas, consider storage at height. Approach can be storing
	high value goods at highest level
	Always store goods on pallet to increase height

STRUCTURAL MEASURES

	Storm water drains of adequate capacity should be planned and executed
	Open trenches and excavation works during monsoon season should be preferably avoided or
	covered to prevent water ingress
	Construct barrier walls for protecting your structure from ingress of flood water
	De-watering arrangements should be made with preferably diesel engine driven pumps with
	adequate stand-by located at elevated plane to pump out storm water
	Check structural stability of your structure before monsoon

HUMAN ELEMENT MEASURES

	In case of an alert of flood, keep all valuables such as jewellery, cash, important documents
	(insurance policies) at safe place
	Keep eye on meteorological department's alert announcements
	In case close proximity to dams, keep update of alerts issued by dam official
	Keep emergency kits ready containing first aid box, torch, radio, eatables, glucose and other
	essential items for emergency situation
	In case of entry of flood water in your occupancy, do not panic. Take a refuse at height and try to
	establish contact with disaster management authority
	Keep all strategically important numbers (such as disaster management authority, fire brigade
	and close relatives) readily available
	A written Surface Water Emergency Response Plan (SWERP) should be developed. It should
	include the basic components as stated below. In addition, a preventive maintenance program should be developed for the inspection and cleaning of the storm water inlets, lines, outlets and ditches that divert runoff to drain inlets or around building at least quarterly to keep them free of debris, silt, etc

Key elements of a surface water emergency response plan include the following:

	Centralized Authority: Give one person, the authority to initiate emergency actions. Concentrating
	this authority is the only way to reduce confusion and eliminate unnecessary delays.
	Comprehensive Scope: Include all reasonable scenarios with a designated action for each.
	Provide alternative actions in case the first option becomes impractical or impossible for a specific scenario.
	Personnel: Provide available and sufficient resources to achieve the objectives of the plan
	Salvage: Concentrate salvage and cleanup planning on specific equipment, stock or supplies
	most crucial to operation or of high value.
	Training: A period of several years without an emergency may cause a lapse in preparedness.
	Provide annual training and revise the plan to maintain preparedness.
	Early Warning: Monitor the weather. Use existing forecasting networks. Weather reports for
	forecasts of tropical storms and severe thunderstorms are readily available on the internet or from meteorological department bulletins.
	Resources: Keep needed resources accessible before the emergency. Determine what
	equipment and supplies are needed and where to get them before an emergency. Evaluate the need for spare pumps, sand bags and sand, squeegees, plastic tarpaulin, etc.

SOLUTION BY HDFC ERGO

HDFC ERGO can assist you in handling flood risk. Our Risk Consulting Service can offer you a Flood Risk Review™ where our risk engineers can visit your facility. They will review your flood loss prevention preparedness and offer suggestions on managing flood risk. Based on this review, you could get further advice from our specialists for insuring the flood risk under our suite of policies designed keeping our client's requirement in mind.

Disclaimer: This document is advisory in nature only and is intended as a resource to assist, in conjunction with your professional insurance advisor, in maintaining a loss prevention program. It is not to be used or relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. No part of this publication shall be reproduced without specific permission of HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Ltd. No liability is accepted for any loss or damage however caused which may be directly or indirectly suffered in connection with the use of the information contained herein.

Risk Consulting Services at HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited

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	Lightning Risk Assessment Report (LRAR)
	Post Loss/Accident Survey Report (PLSR)
	NatCat Analysis Report (NCAR)
	Loss Prevention Brochures

Visit following link for details and contact: http://www.hdfcergo.com/Commercial/RiskConsultingServices.html.

HDFC ERGO General Insurance Company Limited
6th Floor, Leela Business Park, Andheri-Kurla Road Andheri East, Mumbai 400 059.
Registered Office: Ramon House, H T Parekh Marg 169, Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai 400 020.
Toll-free No. 1800 2 700 700 Fax: 91-22-6638 3699
E-mail care@hdfcergo.com Website www.hdfcergo.com

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