Which of the following is/are non-structural measures used to mitigate floods?

(a) Maintaining wetlands.
(b) Prevention of over-bank spilling by the construction of embankments and flood walls.
(c) Flood forecasting and warning services.
(d) Disaster relief, flood fighting, and public health measures.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is D

(a) Maintaining wetlands

Correct – Wetlands act as natural flood absorbers by storing excess water and reducing the impact of floods. This is a non-structural flood mitigation measure as it does not involve physical infrastructure.

(c) Flood forecasting and warning services
Correct – Flood forecasting and early warning systems help in disaster preparedness and reducing the impact of floods. These are considered non-structural measures as they involve planning and technology rather than physical structures.

(d) Disaster relief, flood fighting, and public health measures
Correct – Emergency response measures such as disaster relief, public health measures, and evacuation plans are categorized as non-structural measures since they focus on response and recovery rather than infrastructure.

Thus, the correct answer is (4) (a), (c), and (d) Only.

Information Booster:

• Structural flood mitigation measures include: dams, embankments, levees, flood walls, reservoirs, and drainage improvements.
• Non-structural flood mitigation measures include: land-use planning, afforestation, wetland conservation, flood forecasting, early warning systems, and public awareness campaigns.
• Wetlands play a key role in flood control by absorbing excess water and reducing runoff.
• Early warning systems help reduce flood casualties by providing alerts for timely evacuation.
• Disaster relief efforts focus on providing aid, medical assistance, and rehabilitation after floods.

Additional Knowledge:

• (b) Prevention of over-bank spilling by the construction of embankments and flood walls
  Incorrect – The construction ofembankments and flood walls is a structural measure, as it involves physical barriers to control flooding. Structural measures rely onengineered solutions, while non-structural measures focus onmanagement and preparedness.

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