Keeping important papers safe before a flood

Which papers Make a list, for each member of the family: - National ID card and birth registration certificate - Land deeds, khatian records, land tax receipts - School and college certificates and mark sheets - Bank or mobile banking papers, savings certificates, insurance papers - Allowance cards or government support cards - Prescriptions and the names of regular medicines - A written note of emergency phone numbers

Keep them in three places - On the phone: take clear photos of both sides of every paper. If you can, email them to yourself, so they survive even if the phone is lost. - Photocopies: wrap one set in plastic and leave it with a relative who lives outside the flood area. - The originals: in a zip-lock or tied thick plastic or waterproof bag, inside a second bag, at the highest point of the house. If you have to move, grab this bag first.

Take care - Never send photos of your papers to strangers or groups. A photo of a national ID can be used for fraud. - If papers get wet, do not rub them hard or dry them in the sun or by a fire; spread the pages out separately to dry in the shade and air. - If papers are lost, take the photos or photocopies to the office concerned; with a copy, getting a new one is much easier. To find which service is where, 333.

It is one afternoon's work. Get it done before the monsoon.