flomforebygging

Flomforebygging, also known as flood prevention or flood control, refers to the measures and strategies implemented to reduce the impact of floods and protect communities, infrastructure, and the environment from their destructive effects. These measures can be broadly categorized into structural and non-structural approaches.

Structural measures involve the construction of physical barriers and modifications to the landscape. This includes building dams and reservoirs to store excess water, constructing levees and floodwalls along rivers and coastlines to contain water, and improving drainage systems to channel water away from populated areas. Diversion channels and retention basins are also used to manage water flow. Land-use planning and zoning can also be considered structural elements, as they dictate where development is allowed and how it is designed to mitigate flood risk.

Non-structural measures focus on reducing vulnerability and enhancing preparedness without necessarily building physical barriers. This includes early warning systems to alert populations of impending floods, public education campaigns to inform residents about flood risks and evacuation procedures, and flood insurance programs to help individuals and businesses recover financially. It also encompasses land-use management policies that discourage development in high-risk floodplains and promote flood-resilient construction practices. Maintaining natural floodplains, wetlands, and forests also plays a crucial role, as these ecosystems can absorb and slow down floodwaters. Effective flomforebygging often involves a combination of both structural and non-structural approaches tailored to the specific risks of a region.