Some guidance for ...

Some guidance for construction of Pit latrines in flood prone areas.

Dear All,

The following approach might perhaps be most suitable to construct safe pit Latrines in flood prone areas.

The Latrines should be constructed over a mound elevated to a certain height and the size of such mound should be as such, so that it does have an area of minimum 1.5 to 2.0 metre excess surrounding the Latrine with a sloping towards outer. The height of such mound should also be determined in such a way so that it's top level is at the plinth level of the dwelling house of the users of the Latrine. In that condition, the Latrine can be used till their Dwelling house is flooded. Because, if the dwelling houses are flooded, then they are to be abandoned and the inhabitants will have to shift to other safer places / shelters. For that they obviously need to look for other temporary options for sanitation.

The people come back to their original houses, after the flood recedes and then the original pit Latrines can again be in use (if not damaged otrherwise) after necessary cleaning as in the case of their dwelling houses.

Thanking All.

Regards.

Nripendra Kumar Sarma

Nagaon, Assam, India     

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