When floods hit the Ban Kao Many community in Nan District, Luang Prabang Province, Laos, people were prepared. An early warning system from national agencies helped to forecast the flood. Once the announcement had been made a trained search and rescue team were functional. They helped the community to move things to higher ground. Health care centers, schools, the police, the army and other agencies from the district all had response plans in place.
Climate change is altering the world in which we live in. Weather has become more extreme, and natural disasters happen more often than before. Flash floods have emerged as a persistent threat, endangering lives, homes, and livelihoods. Amidst this perilous environment, a silent killer lurks—the risk of drowning. Often underestimated, even knee-high water levels can prove deadly as individuals struggle to gauge depth and speed. In response to this pressing challenge, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has taken the lead in pioneering programmes to combat drowning and promote resilience in vulnerable communities such as Ban Kao Many.
Drowning is the primary cause of death during sudden floods, accompanied by factors including cardiac arrest, hypothermia, and acute trauma. Moreover, contact with contaminated floodwater leads to acute illnesses, while the psychological toll leaves a trail of stress, anxiety, and depression.
WMO's Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) has emerged as a life-saving resource in 72 countries, safeguarding over 3 billion lives. The FFGS has strengthened early warning systems and prevented numerous tragedies by offering guidance to forecasters on issuing flash flood alerts. Alongside, the WMO/GWP associated programme on flood management ensures the judicious use of non-structural measures such as floodplain, knowledge and awareness, land use planning, risk maps and early warning systems which support in minimizing casualties and maximizing the socio-economic benefits.
Empowering communities with knowledge and awareness has drastically reduced drowning incidents in high-risk areas. Early warning systems are now more robust, and communities are equipped to respond swiftly to flash floods. The tangible results are reflected in the decline of drowning-related mortality rates.
On the ground, the transformation is evident in the form of improved health services and healthier populations. Armed with accurate and timely information, people make informed decisions during flood events, effectively reducing loss of life. The bolstered psychological support services alleviate the mental anguish experienced by flood-affected communities.
WMO is committed to expand the concept of integrated flood management globally.
“Improving flood risk management locally and nationally is a core WHO recommendation towards preventing drowning deaths,” said Dr David Meddings, Technical Lead for Drowning Prevention at WHO. “The unique expertise required to effectively implement these initiatives requires our close collaboration with the disaster risk reduction sector, which includes UN agencies such as the WMO.”
All FFGS activities are part of supporting the United Nations Secretary-General's call for Early Warnings for All in the next five years. UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced that WMO would “spearhead new action to ensure every person on Earth is protected by early warning systems within five years.” The Early Warnings for All initiative represents an unprecedented opportunity to develop and implement people-centred, end-to-end early warning systems for floods, be they coastal, riverine, flash or urban, alone or in combination.