engleski

FLOODS: NEW CONCEPTS EMERGE - OLD PROBLEMS REMAIN

Floods have had a significant impact on mankind and environment throughout the history by causing severe humanitarian, environmental, and financial disasters. Modern societies endeavour to defend against flood hazards by infrastructure protection plans, efficient resource management and insurance plans. Such protection mechanisms can be effective only if they are designed on the basis of scientific methods founded on a close cooperation between different branches and institutions. Protective measures are often counterproductive. They may result in higher damages than those which would otherwise occur. The definite conclusion is that a flood protection system which guarantees complete safety is an illusion. At the same time, flooding brings many benefits particularly for ecological variability and soil fertility. The paper treats flood control measures and some different concepts and approaches, as well as international initiatives organised in order to reduce damages caused by flood, especially to protect human lives.

flood, floodplain, levee, ecology, flood control

nije evidentirano