LONDON - Planning an effective flood management strategy is as important as planning for terrorism or even preventing bird flu, an independent review by Sir Michael Pitt, who is the chairman of the South West Strategic Health Authority, has said.
Sir Pitt has made 87 recommendations on how to handle the flood situation after this year's floods devastated the countryside and racked up a bill of 3 billion pounds. The interim report issued by Pitt has urged the government to frame national guidelines so that flood risk management is dealt on the same basis as terrorism or pandemic flu.
"We're all facing up to climate change and there are all sorts of implications for the country in terms of having to adapt to that change," Sir Michael said.
The review also said that during this year's floods there was a singular lack of national level planning. Additionally urban flooding was not responsibly handled nor were emergency equipments like boats in stock, the review added.
It also called on homeowners to do more to prevent flooding. "There are many things that individuals can do to strengthen the resilience of their home; for example, having good insurance is an obvious thing that should be done," Sir Michael said.
The report said that homeowners must have a flood kit in their homes where all vital documents related to insurance or otherwise may be stored. Additionally this kit must be waterproof, the report added.
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said the government would take serious note of the Pitt report. "The government agrees with all the urgent recommendations and will work with all organizations involved in taking them forward as quickly as possible," he stressed in a released statement.
