Lucy
Harding - 5-Sep-2006 - The Environment Agency
is joining the celebrations at this year’s Maidstone
Mela to highlight the risks of flooding to the
diverse communities living in Kent.
A new multi-lingual flood awareness
DVD and booklet, produced by the Environment Agency
in 7 different languages as part of the Florispre
project, will also be on show at the festival
and available to those living in flood risk areas.
The Maidstone Mela 2006, a multi-cultural celebration
of food, dance and music takes place between 1pm
and 6pm on Sunday 10 September 2006 at Mote Park.
In Kent around 69,690 homes
and businesses are at risk from flooding either
from the sea, rivers or groundwater. By taking
a few simple measures those people living in these
areas can help minimise the damage that flooding
causes. Environment Agency staff will be on hand
to give visitors to the Maidstone Mela useful
advice and guidance on what preparations they
can make.
Melanie Andrews, Flood Forecasting
Technical Specialist for the Environment Agency,
said: “Flooding doesn’t discriminate so it’s important
that we reach all communities living in the county
to warn them about the risks – the Maidstone Mela
is a great opportunity to do that. Our multi-lingual
DVD and booklet are essential tools that will
help us communicate widely.
“We can reduce the effects of
flooding through building defences but we can't
prevent them from happening altogether. It’s important
that anyone living in a flood risk area prepares
themselves - by taking a few simple measures you
can help minimise the damage that flooding causes.”
Find out the likelihood of coastal
or river flooding in your area by calling Floodline
on 0845 988 1188 or going to www.environment-agency.gov.uk/floodline.
You can also get tips on how to prepare for floods
in advance and find out if early warnings of flooding
are available in your area.
The Environment Agency Flood
Awareness booklet and DVD are available in Bengali,
traditional Chinese, English, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi
and Urdu.
