Three modern ways to adopt safe living from natural disasters

Disaster-resilient homes are gaining importance in the housing sector. Establishments that are vulnerable to natural disasters are constructed such that they have the ability to resist any natural calamity. Nature has the tendency to overcome or subdue any man-made structure however, the advancement in construction and structural engineering is providing leeway to disaster-resilient buildings. Henceforth, there are various modern techniques that allow commercial and residential buildings to overcome the impacts of natural disasters. Moreover, civic authorities of various municipalities also jot down preventive measures in their bye-laws to avoid mishappenings.

Graana.com through this blog highlights the various techniques for safe living and to avoid the devastating impact of natural disasters. Annually, the damages incurred by the housing and construction industry owing to the disasters is in billions. Keeping in view the costs and the threat to human lives there should be cognizance of various techniques for safe living. 

What does Data Show

As per the Informed Risk Index, Pakistan is among the countries that are most vulnerable to natural disasters. In 2019, out of 191 countries, Pakistan had a rank of 19 indicating the countries that are at the highest level of disaster risk. It is also observed that in Pakistan, building structures are developed without paying attention to the characteristics of the land and without considering whether an area is prone to natural disasters or not.

Flood-Resilient Methods

This technique is useful in flood-prone areas where floods occasionally enter homes, Architects and engineers have come up with a unique but simple technique to decrease the flood water ingress. The buildings are elevated to a certain level so that water does not enter the homes. In certain cases, the homes are also barricaded with concrete so that the water does not enter into homes. In order to diminish the impacts of the flood water-resistant materials are used indoors so that the damages and the material cost can be reduced. Moreover, floodproofing techniques involving the use of sealants and waterproof paints are also among the major techniques for reducing the impact of floods in buildings. 

Flexible Foundations

Seismic waves of earthquakes can wreak havoc if the foundations of the homes and buildings are not flexible enough to absorb the shock. Earthquake-resistant buildings are designed such that the shocks of buildings are repelled using vibration control devices or shock absorbers. The shock absorbers reduce the magnitude of the buildings and diminish the intensity of vibrations which are significant in avoiding a disaster. Similarly, isolated bases are also developed using rubber pads that have the ability to resist shocks. Moreover, structural engineers are also developing new methods for load management that involve shear walls and cross braces. 

Remedies for Heatwave

The construction of homes varies from region to region depending on the environment and atmosphere. As global warming is increasing, cities across the world are observing rising temperatures. Against this backdrop, heatwaves on annual basis damage the health of people, as a panacea to this modern ventilation systems are incorporated in the buildings which allow increased circulation of air. A few of the common ventilation systems include uncontrolled ventilation which can be achieved through air bricks and trickle vents. Similarly, homes are being insulated by using blanket insulation or foams. Apart from the heatwaves, the insulation of housing is also useful for reducing the bills of public utilities.