Potential Variation in Climate Change Variables
The Sumas Prairie region of Canada has always been prone to seasonal flooding during heavy rainfall. However, in 2019 and subsequent years, thousands of families have been displaced due to a surge in flooding. In this issue, I shall delve into the scientific causes of fatal flooding, its projected impacts, and possible adaptations to mitigate and manage flooding in the area.
According to Gaur et al. (2019), a consistent rise in atmospheric temperatures is the key driver of intense rainfall seasons. Canada has made undeniable strides in industrialization, leading to global warming and increased rainfall during the rainy season. Over the years, flooding in Sumas Prairies and other regions has become a menace due to the inefficiency of atmospheric rivers, snowmelts, and ice jams. This state of affairs is today the center of discussion for environmental and humanitarian agencies.
Projected Impacts
As much as I would like to list projected impacts, several reports already state the impacts of the floods in the area. One of these reports is Canada in a Changing Climate: Regional Perspectives. The impact of the floods begins with the destruction of human settlements in the area. The floods have swept over residential settlements, compelling people to find new homes elsewhere. Unfortunately, the floods trigger landslides, which cause deaths and psychological trauma to the victims (Gaur et al., 2019).
Another impact of the floods is the spread of waterborne diseases. Breaking riverbanks, overflowing dams, and other water bodies combine with sewage and dirt with pathogens, thus causing outbreaks of typhoid, cholera, and bilharzia.
Most Impacted Elements of Life
In a review of the above impacts, the most affected by floods are social life, human welfare, and economic life. Socially, the floods in the Sumas Prairies led to families being separated after losing their homes. Children may be taken into children’s homes, where they are provided with necessities. Adults, on their part, work towards recovery and continuity, seeking safety and jobs in urban areas—human welfare cuts across physical and mental well-being.
The outbreak of waterborne diseases remains a public health issue, so the health sector must prepare for high demand for services during floods (Gaur et al., 2019). Mental health is equally crucial, as floods are natural disasters. In the future, stakeholders in the health sector should work towards providing mental health services to those affected by floods. Moreover, floods will cause economic disruptions for individuals seeking livelihoods and businesses by interfering with their supply chains.
Potential Adaptation Strategies
In light of the grave effects of sporadic rains leading to floods in the Sumas Prairies, I researched potential adaptation strategies in the wake of the floods. Before listing them, I would like to note that the tremendous changes in weather patterns are the underlying cause of the floods (Kaur et al., 2023). Measurements must be taken to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and monitor atmospheric pollutants, as melting glaciers and El Niño rains are linked to these pollutants.
While working on these, I recommend the installation dykes to direct excess water during the rainy seasons. I also recommend that the responsible agencies ensure the safety of structures by creating stringent construction policies. It also helps empower weather forecast agencies to make accurate predictions and provide timely, effective responses to avoid tragic losses and the displacement of people. These are practical measures that can be further improved with extensive research.
References
Gaur, A., Gaur, A., Yamazaki, D., & Simonovic, S. P. (2019). Flooding related consequences of climate change on Canadian cities and flow regulation infrastructure. Water, 11(1), 63.
Kaur, M., Saleem, S., Nahiduzzaman, K. M., Hewage, K., & Sadiq, R. (2023). An Investigation of the Current Situation of Floodplain Mapping in British Columbia: A Fuzzy Rule-Based Approach. Journal of Urban Planning and Development, 149(4), 04023036.