Urban flood do's and don'ts: what changes when the flood is in a city

The NDMA keeps its urban flood guidance separate from its river flood guidance, and the difference matters. In a city the water arrives faster, carries more contamination, and sits next to live electrical infrastructure.

Before

Keep the drains near you clear of debris — this is the single item most within an individual household’s control. Watch the weather updates, and stay home when a high tide coincides with heavy rain. If you are in a low-lying pocket, evacuate rather than wait. Move valuables and documents up.

During

Follow the evacuation instruction you are given and move to a safer place rather than deciding for yourself. Cut the electrical power. Stay clear of open wires and anything downed. Ignore rumours — take instructions from official channels.

After

Drink only boiled or chlorinated water, and eat only food you know stayed dry. Treat standing water with insecticide, because it becomes a mosquito problem within days. Cooperate with the damage survey teams so your loss is on record.

The don’ts, plainly

• Never wade through flowing water
• Never drive into a flooded street
• Never reconnect the power yourself before a professional has inspected it
• Never use electrical equipment while standing on a wet floor

Guwahati flooded again on 19 August, with the zoo boundary wall giving way at Japorigog — our report is here.