Compare the impact and responses to a major flood in an MEDC and LEDC.

Authors Avatar

Compare the impact and responses to a major flood in an MEDC and LEDC.

Depending on the location of a major flood can cause a variety of problems, some minor however some can be horrific. There are many factors which influence the impacts of a major flood, deciding whether it will be a short lived disaster with little long term damage or one which ruins the area and causes much long-term unrest with the population. In addition to this the responses and ability to solve and clear up the problem has a huge effect on damages. The severity of the flood largely depends on these factors and there is usually a clear divide the responses of an LEDC and a MEDC. On the whole LEDC’s do not have the resource to respond to a flood in a good way and also it is probable that the area is more likely to be damaged greater than what an MEDC due to the quality of building and the poor infrastructure of the area.

In 2000 the River Severn, UK, flooded on its path through the town of Shrewsbury which lies in the rivers drainage basin. The source of the Severn is found in the Welsh mountains, an area that receives above average rainfall for the UK. Due to this the Severn, in particularly the Shrewsbury area is historically known for its proneness to flooding. It is expected on average for there to be a major flood in the area once every 10years, however there had been no such flood for over 30years. The urban area of Shrewsbury is built on higher ground to the flood plain of the river so there have been no floods of any severity. Unfortunately between October and December 2000, 3 major floods were experienced in the area.

Join now!

On the short term this had a huge impact to the busy market town. Access to the town centre was hampered as both the English Bridge and the Welsh Bridge into the town were flooded as well as some stretches of rail-way being submerged. Trade in the town was severely affected as many of the large car parks were under water, stopping people from shopping in the busiest commercial time of the year, the build up to Christmas. This had a huge economic impact, companies such as Marks and Spencer’s estimated nearly a £1m loss in revenue. Not only ...

This is a preview of the whole essay