| A flood is an overflow of water, an expanse | | | | |
| of water submerging land, a deluge. Floods | | | | 4. Flash flood: It is the most dangerous type |
| are most commonly widespread of all natural | | | | of floods as it is the fastest moving types |
| disasters. They are also one of the most | | | | and comes without warning. It is a specific |
| dangerous disasters as they carry enough | | | | type of flood that appears and moves quickly |
| power to change the shape of land on Earth. | | | | across the land, catching people off guard |
| They are one of the most costly weather | | | | and unprepared .the causes of these types of |
| related disasters and are usually short lived | | | | floods include highly concentrated rainfall, |
| events which happen suddenly, with little | | | | repeated thunderstorms or tropical storms. |
| warning. The amount of flooding depends on | | | | Dam failures create the worst type of flash |
| the intensity of rainfall and the | | | | flooding as a large quantity of water is |
| prolongation of the rainfall. | | | | suddenly let loose downstream, destroying any |
| | | | thing that obstructs its path. Water can rise |
| Types of Floods | | | | up to the height of 20 feet, carrying a huge |
| | | | amount of debris along with it. |
| 1. River flood: this is a naturally occurring | | | | |
| flood. Some are seasonal, occurring only | | | | 5. Ice jam: Floating ice can accumulate at a |
| during a particular season; say winter or | | | | natural or man-made obstruction and stop the |
| spring, when melting snow combines with | | | | flow of water. |
| spring rains, filling the river valley with | | | | |
| too much water, thus flooding the miles of | | | | Effects of floods: Soil erosion is one of the |
| land | | | | most prominent effects of floods. The people |
| | | | affected by floods are cut off by the rest of |
| 2.Coastal flood:These kinds of floods are | | | | the country and most means of contact are |
| caused due to the winds generated by intense | | | | disabled. The amount of food if insufficient |
| low pressure systems which drive ocean water | | | | can be another cause of death after a flood |
| inland causing intense flooding. Coastal | | | | occurs. Flood water destroys several |
| floods are also caused by tsunamis, or tidal | | | | granaries, fisheries and standing crops. |
| waves, which are produced by earth quakes. | | | | Several roads are submerged in water. Floods |
| Beaches and coastal houses are swept away by | | | | can cause land slides and debris slides which |
| the water causing intense destruction. | | | | are quite catastrophic in nature. |
| | | | |
| 3. Urban flood: Urbanisation causes what is | | | | Prevention of floods: Changing land use from |
| called deforestation which includes | | | | farmland should be stopped. Construction of |
| conversion of fields and woodlands into | | | | dams and levees reduce the risk of floods to |
| commercial purposes, thus decreasing the | | | | a large extent.. Zoning restrictions limit |
| water absorbing capacity of the land. This | | | | flood damage. Governments should pass laws |
| factor amplifies the magnitude of the floods | | | | preventing uncontrolled building on flood |
| and streets become swift mirrors. The damage | | | | plains to limit flood risks and to protect |
| cost is high in these types of floods as they | | | | nearby property. |
| occur in commercial areas. | | | | |