Wk10: Extreme weather

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Wk10: Extreme weather


            This week I will be discussing extreme weather cases of flooding in the country of Belgium. Flooding has escalated in Belgium because of the average temperature rise since 1830-1010 of 2°C. As early as it is in 2024 Belgium is already facing serious flooding issues. Referring to the charts below provided by iea.org we can see the gray bars being the world averages and the left bars being Belgium's levels of extremes weather cases. This country's vulnerability to flooding is increased by the amount of densely populated regions with lots of urbanization. Without the right procedures set in place for a flood urbanization can lead to more devastating effects.



The second bar chart is used to show the rate at which Belgium is warming compared to the rest of the world. This is relevant to the chart above because when the average temperature increases Floods, Droughts, and Cyclones increase as well. The need to address safety issues to prepare for an eventual disaster is becoming more urgent everyday. Through my research Belgium is responding to this through national planning and focusing on protective measures to ensure safe and reliable infrastructure.




Here are measures that the people of Belgium and the people of any country that faces flooding can take to protect themselves.

Clean and ensure gutters so rain can easily pass through

Make use of sandbags or bricks to protect parts of structures

Prepare an emergency kit that includes a first aid kit and clean drinking water

and lastly read and stay informed about what you can do to keep yourself and others safe



https://www.iea.org/reports/belgium-climate-resilience-policy-indicator

https://www.brusselstimes.com/860658/belgium-inundated-by-floods-in-early-2024-photos-tbtb

https://crisiscenter.be/en/risks-belgium/natural-risks/flooding

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