Rainy season can be a challenging time for people living in areas that are easily flooded. The storms and typhoons that enter the country can be overwhelming in numbers and leave no time in between for the population to recover before another one comes in. Before, rural areas have the most difficulty in dealing with natural calamities for they are usually the ones living in mountainous areas where landslides and severe flooding can occur. But even urban areas today encounter flooding problems when the rainy season starts – they’re usually worse than the rural areas.
The lack of proper and efficient drainage system is one of the main reasons why extreme flooding occurs. With all the concrete roads and sidewalks in the urban areas, it is imperative that rain water must be directed towards multiple exit to avoid clogging. But there’s an easier and more eco-friendly way to avoid flooding in urban areas without sacrificing the aesthetics of the city life.
Made with the intent to be materials that help the environment, paving blocks are installed with spaces in between. These spaces are filled with sand to avoid pavers rubbing against each other and damaging their edges. Aside from serving as protection, the sand also allows for rain water to seep into the spaces and consequently, into the ground. This feature creates an eco-friendly alternative to poured concrete since it needs no additional drainage to be constructed – the pavement itself serves as a channel for water to exit and lessen the flooding above ground.
One of the best ways to combat the rainy season is preparation. Our country encounters up to twenty typhoons every year. That’s more than one typhoon in just one month. And since we’ve already experienced the worst that these extreme weathers can bring (such as the expansive damage caused by Typhoon Yolanda), any effort to mitigate flooding in public or even residential areas is already a big help.