A flood is an overflow of water, an expanse of water submerging land, a deluge. Floods are most commonly widespread of all natural disasters. They are also one of the most dangerous disasters as they carry enough power to change the shape of land on Earth.

A flood is an overflow of water, an expanse of water submerging land, a deluge. Floods are most commonly widespread of all natural disasters. They are also one of the most dangerous disasters as they carry enough power to change the shape of land on Earth. They are one of the most costly weather related disasters and are usually short lived events which happen suddenly, with little warning. The amount of flooding depends on the intensity of
rainfall and the prolongation of the rainfall.

Types of Floods

1. River flood: this is a naturally occurring flood. Some are seasonal, occurring only during a particular season; say winter or spring, when melting snow combines with spring rains, filling the river valley with too much water, thus flooding the miles of land

2.Coastal flood:These kinds of floods are caused due to the winds generated by intense low pressure systems which drive ocean water inland causing intense flooding. Coastal floods are also caused by tsunamis, or tidal waves, which are produced by earth quakes. Beaches and coastal houses are swept away by the water causing intense destruction.

3. Urban flood: Urbanisation causes what is called deforestation which
includes conversion of fields and woodlands into commercial purposes, thus decreasing the water absorbing capacity of the land. This factor amplifies the magnitude of the floods and streets become swift mirrors. The damage cost is high in these types of floods as they occur in commercial areas.

4. Flash flood: It is the most dangerous type of floods as it is the fastest moving types and comes without warning. It is a specific type of flood that appears and moves quickly across the land, catching people off guard and unprepared .the causes of these types of floods include highly concentrated rainfall, repeated thunderstorms or tropical storms. Dam failures create the worst type of flash flooding as a large quantity of water is suddenly let loose downstream, destroying any thing that obstructs its path. Water can rise up to the height of 20 feet, carrying a huge amount of debris along with it.

5. Ice jam: Floating ice can accumulate at a natural or man-made obstruction and stop the flow of water.

Effects of floods:
Soil erosion is one of the most prominent effects of floods. The people affected by floods are cut off by the rest of the country and most means of contact are disabled. The amount of food if insufficient can be another cause of death after a flood occurs. Flood water destroys several granaries, fisheries and standing crops. Several roads are submerged in water. Floods can cause land slides and debris slides which are quite catastrophic in nature.

Prevention of floods: Changing land use from farmland should be stopped. Construction of dams and levees reduce the risk of floods to a large extent.. Zoning restrictions limit flood damage. Governments should pass laws preventing uncontrolled building on flood plains to limit flood risks and to protect nearby property.

Author: Pacific Disaster Center


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