Flooding
A flood is an overflow of an expanse of water that submerges land.
It is usually due to the volume of water within a body of water, such as a river or lake, exceeding the total capacity of the body, and as a result some of the water flows or sits outside of the normal perimeter of the body. It can also occur in rivers, when the strength of the river is so high it flows right out of the river channel , usually at corners or meanders. These of course, are not applicable in such instances as sea flooding.
Fast kinds: flash flood as a result floods mainly occur in monsoon areas, where there is high precipitation.
Slow kinds: A large quantity of rainfall or snowmelt navigated to a river at a too rapid speed for the river to cope. These of e.g. an intense thunderstorm.
Flood Types
Estuarine floods. Commonly caused by a combination of sea tidal surges caused by storm-force winds.
Coastal floods. Caused by severe sea storms, or as a result of another hazard (e.g. tsunami or hurricane).
Catastrophic floods. Caused by a significant and unexpected event e.g. dam breakage, or as a result of another hazard (e.g. earthquake or volcanic eruption).
Storm. Flooding can occur if water accumulates across an impermeable surface (e.g. from rainfall) and cannot rapidly dissipate (i.e. gentle orientation or low evaporation).
Primary effects
Physical damage- Can range anywhere from bridges, cars, buildings, sewer systems, roadways, canals and any other type of structure.
Casualties- People and livestock die due to drowning. It can also lead to epidemics and diseases.
Secondary effects
Water supplies- Contamination of water. Clean drinking water becomes scarce.
Diseases- Unhygienic conditions. Spread of water-borne diseases
Crops and food supplies- Shortage of food crops can be caused due to loss of entire harvest.
