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Flood advantages, disadvantages, types, causes & risks

by Heba Soffar · Published January 11, 2016 · Updated December 14, 2022

A flood is a large body of water in some areas where it becomes destructive and impedes the natural cycle of living organisms, It may be a result of long periods of heavy rain, or rivers or lakes, When the temperature is high, It can cause flooding as they cause the ice caps and the snow to melt quickly.

Many areas are prone to be inundated by floodwaters during times of heavy rain, snowmelt, or high tides, Floods are an area of study of the discipline of hydrology and are of concern in agriculture, civil engineering, and public health, Floods are very important processes for the natural environment, and humans also benefit from them.

A flood is an overflow of water that normally covers the dry ground, It can refer to the tide’s inflow when used in the sense of “flowing water,” Flooding can happen when water from bodies of water, such as rivers, lakes, or the ocean, overflows and breaches levees, allowing some of the water to stray outside its customary confines, it can result in flooding when rainfall gathers on soggy soil.

Floods can make the land fertile, add nutrients to the sea, dislodge accumulated debris, supply sediment to deltas, recharge underground water levels, and balance the health of wetlands. Flooding leaves behind fine sand, clay, silt, and organic matter. floodplains are one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the world. The flooded soil environment allows the cultivation of many crops like rice.

People have come to regard floods as disasters in terms of lives lost and property damage, Although, floods can be devastating to population centers, they have been an integral part of nature’s renewal process. Flooding distributes and deposits river sediments over large areas of land, These river sediments replenish nutrients in topsoil and make agricultural lands more fertile.

Flood advantages

There are many benefits of flooding despite its immediate ill effects, For the farmers and the people in the agricultural sector, It helps them in long run by providing nutrients to the soil that were lacking, It makes the soil more fertile and increases agricultural production.

The nutrients are also added to the rivers and the lakes, They improve the health of fishes that can be consumed, There may be the relocation of fishes and the organisms living in the water bodies, The flooding may improve the ecosystem, New predators and prey are introduced to the areas, balancing the aquatic population.

The floodplains are relatively flat lands adjacent to a body of water such as a river or a stream that becomes flooded (inundated with the water ) when the channel capacity is exceeded, and the floodplain surrounding the river is used as agricultural land.

Flood

The floodplains are dynamic natural systems, natural processes of periodic flooding, accompanied by erosion and deposition, They bring changes to the topography, the soils, the vegetation, and the physical features within these areas over time.

The f loodplains provide a wide range of benefits to the ecosystem and community, flood storage and erosion control provide a broad area with streams and rivers to spread out and accommodate temporary storage of the floodwater, reducing the flood peaks and the erosion potential.

The flood offers g roundwater recharge, It provides the h abitat with a variety of fish and wildlife including rare and endangered species, It offers biological productivity, It provides fertile soils with a high rate of plant growth and diversity, richer agricultural harvests, and healthier forests.

Zebras, impalas, and other wildlife can die of thirst, hunger and weakness because of this, so, flooding during the rainy season not only fills rivers but also wipe away all unwanted debris. Deltas basically form when sediment accumulates across rivers faster than the sea removes it, They are very productive regions that protect the coast against waves and storms, As floodwaters hit estuaries, they also deposit sediment on deltas, thus fortifying them.

Floodplains offer cultural, educational, recreational, and scenic values to humans, floodplains include many archaeological and historical sites, Floods contribute to the health of ecologically important wetland areas, Healthy wetlands promote healthy water supplies and affect air quality, and Flooding inundates wetlands with fresh waste.

Floodways are defined as that area of the watercourse that is necessary to carry the base flood without increasing the water surface elevation more than one foot, Development is heavily regulated in floodway areas, Riverine systems are important habitats for a variety of fish, reptiles, vegetation, and fur-bearing wildlife. These systems provide feeding and breeding grounds for these species.

Floods can dislodge materials that block rivers and estuaries, Debris such as branches, logs, and boulders often hinder the movement of water in rivers, they can inhibit the flow of water altogether leading to droughts downstream, Debris can block river flow causing droughts downstream, so, floods can dislodge this debris.

Disadvantages of the Flood

Heavy floods can be so disastrous that the infrastructure is washed away, The people and the animals drown, and people can be stranded for long periods, The society and the economy of the country will suffer in many ways after the flood.

The loss of lives, vegetation, and infrastructure means there will be fewer people in the labor force, less agriculture available for the locals and the exportation, and fewer businesses to contribute to the economy of the country.

There will be mass dislocation of people, many people may be left homeless and jobless, So, The government will have to spend a little more, The country may seek assistance from foreign countries to supply the food and the materials to clean and replace the infrastructure.

Floodwater can be dangerous when they have more depth and speed, It is very dangerous to walk or drive through the floodwater when they are six inches of water that can cause unstable footing, and two feet of water can cause the car to be swept away.

More people drown in their cars in floods than anywhere else, Floods and storms also can knock down power lines and electrical currents can travel through the water . Floodwater may carry silt, raw sewage, oil, or chemical waste, If you can wear gloves and boots to avoid coming into contact with floodwater if you touch the floodwater, you are advised to wash your hands thoroughly.

If the wells are flooded, The well will be contaminated, If you are on a public water system, You should listen to TV or radio to know if it has become contaminated, floodwaters can also damage the structures and the contents. The rivers, especially the big ones can cause a lot of mayhem, When they flood, they destroy livelihoods, They cause economic damage and they kill people.

Flooding can destroy everything in their path, resulting from a river overflow or a dam failure, It causes property damage by flooding homes, buildings, and bridges, It can start fires that end in explosions, It can harm sewage networks as well as drainage systems, Waste material consequently overflows, causing contamination, Or they contaminate water sources, rendering the water unsafe for human consumption.

Flooding causes forcing long-term evictions of communities and accelerates the spread of mosquito- and water-borne diseases, It causes damage to a building or business if it is situated in a river’s natural floodplain, It can result when water is produced by snowmelt or rainfall in low-lying areas more quickly than the ground or runoff can absorb it.

Floods lead to economic losses, As floods destroy transportation and communication networks, people cannot work, They wipe out agricultural land or transmit diseases to farm animals, Regions that depend on coastal tourism and associated businesses suffer significantly as well, Floods can affect their properties or discourage tourists from visiting such places, While such businesses have insurance cover to build back, it is another battle to get hold of that money.

Floods can wipe away significant amounts of sediment, This can lead to bank erosion, collapse or landslides where the terrain is steep. flooding can stimulate algal blooms in the sea, lakes, and rivers, A load of nutrient especially phosphorous and nitrogen stimulate algae to grow and multiply rapidly, they cover the surface of the water preventing oxygen from penetrating inside, so, organisms that live inside die.

Floods can kill a lot of people, if they are not well prepared for the floods, floods may result in physical or mental health problems for many people, They lead to water pollution, which in turn causes illness outbreaks, including diarrhea and gastroenteritis, They disturb the livelihoods of numerous populations by destroying farms and crops.

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Thunderstorms advantages and disadvantages

Hurricanes & tropical storms advantages and disadvantages

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Flood Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on flood.

Flood is one of the most dangerous natural disasters. It happens when excessive water is collected in any area. It usually happens due to heavy rainfall. India is highly prone to flood. There are many regions in the country that face this natural disaster because of the overflowing of rivers. Moreover, it also happens because of the melting of snow. Another reason for floods is when the dam breaks down. If we look at the coastal areas, the hurricanes and tsunamis are held responsible for causing floods. In this essay on flood, we will see the prevention and after-affect of flood.

flood essay

In other words, whatever the cause may be, it is equally dangerous. It has a lot of harmful consequences. Flood damages the living conditions and it takes a lot of time to recover from this disaster. Therefore, the consequences of floods must be known and steps must be taken to prevent it.

After-effects of Flood

Floods interrupt with the day to day functioning of the affected area. The severe floods sometimes cause mass destruction. A lot of people and animals lose their lives due to floods. Several others are injured. Floods also bring a rise in diseases. The stagnant water attracts mosquitoes causing malaria , dengue, and more illnesses.

Furthermore, people face power cuts due to the danger of electrocution. They also have to face expensive pricing. As the supply of food and goods gets limited, the prices naturally grow higher. This creates a big problem for the common man.

Most importantly, the whole country faces economic loss. The resources needed to rescue people and tackle this disaster demands a hefty amount. Plus, the citizens lose their houses and cars which they worked all their lives for.

Subsequently, floods also hamper the environment. It causes soil erosion and this degrades the quality of the soil. We lose out on fertile soil. Similarly, floods also damage flora and fauna. They damage crops and displace trees. Thus, the measure should be taken to avoid these grave consequences.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Ways to Prevent flood

The government and citizens must work together to formulate ways to prevent floods. Proper awareness must be spread about the steps to take when floods occur. Warning systems must be set up so people get sufficient time to save themselves. In addition, areas that are more likely to have floods must have tall buildings above the flood level.

disadvantages of flood essay

Other than that, dams must be constructed strongly. The use of cheap materials causes dams to break. The government must ensure there is a quality building of dams to prevent floods.

In short, we cannot prevent natural causes like rain and the melting of glaciers. However, we can stop the manmade causes like breaking of dams, poor drainage system, installing warning systems and more. We should take inspiration from countries like Singapore that never experience floods despite having heavy rainfall for most time of the year.

FAQ on Flood Essay

Q.1 what are the consequences of a flood.

A.1 Floods cause immense destruction. They are responsible for the loss of human and animal lives. People lose their homes and cars in floods. They also cause soil erosion and uproot of trees.

Q.2 How can we prevent floods?

A.2 Governments must take up certain measures to prevent floods. We can install flood warning systems. Make people aware of what to do in times of flood. Moreover, we can also build a proper drainage system that will ensure no waterlogging.

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The Many Effects of Flooding

Floods can be destructive to humans and the natural environment, but they also help to drive biodiversity and are essential to the functioning of many ecosystems.

Earth Science, Climatology, Geography, Physical Geography

1931 Yangtze River Flood

In 1931, water overwhelmed the banks of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, resulting in the Central China flood. Killing at least hundreds of thousands and potentially millions of people, it was one of the worst flooding events in recorded history. Here, people near the Yangtze River are shown.

Photograph from Adrienne Livesey, Elaine Ryder, and Irene Brien

In 1931, water overwhelmed the banks of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, resulting in the Central China flood. Killing at least hundreds of thousands and potentially millions of people, it was one of the worst flooding events in recorded history. Here, people near the Yangtze River are shown.

It is hardly surprising that rivers have been an important part of human history: They provide food, freshwater, and fertile land for growing crops. While water is essential to life, it can be a destructive force too. When rivers flood, the effects can be catastrophic. Flooding is one of the most common types of natural disaster, and the results are often fatal. The Central China flood of 1931, for example, was one of the worst flooding events in recorded history. The Yangtze and Huai Rivers broke their banks, killing as many as several million people. The aftermath was devastating; deadly waterborne diseases like dysentery and cholera spread quickly, and those who survived faced the threat of starvation. The human cost of flooding can be large, but events like this have a big impact on the natural world too, and the effects are not always negative. In fact, some ecosystems rely on seasonal flooding to drive ecological processes. Floods Can Harm Wildlife Flooding can have a negative effect on wildlife, causing drowning, disease proliferation, and habitat destruction. In 2012, hundreds of animals, including many vulnerable one-horned rhinos ( Rhinoceros unicornis ), were killed in floods that swamped Kaziranga National Park in the Indian state of Assam. Unpredictable floods can be harmful even to aquatic life. For example, fish can be displaced and their nests destroyed.

Floods Cause Sedimentation and Erosion Floodwater can also alter the landscape, for instance, by eroding riverbanks and causing them to collapse. As floodwater carries material from the eroded banks, it suspends sediment in the water, which can degrade water quality and lead to harmful blooms of algae. Suspended sediment eventually settles out of the water in a process called sedimentation, which can clog riverbeds and streams, smother aquatic organisms, and destroy habitats. Erosion and sedimentation have a more negative impact on ecosystems that are already degraded or heavily modified. Floods Carry Contamination Floodwater can be contaminated with pollutants such as agricultural pesticides , industrial chemicals, debris, and sewage. If contaminated floodwater enters the ocean it can affect water quality and disrupt delicate ecosystems, such as coral reefs. In February 2019, marine biologists feared for the safety of the Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland, a state in Australia, after it was inundated with polluted floodwater. Floods Spread Diseases Floods are the leading cause of weather-related infectious disease outbreaks. Flooding events increase the chance of spreading waterborne diseases, such as hepatitis A and cholera. Receding floodwater can create stagnant pools of water, which provide the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can transmit malaria and other diseases. Flood events also lead to an increase in some forms of  zoonosis , such as leptospirosis. Floods Carry Nutrients While floods bring hazards, they also bring nutrients and essential components for life. Seasonal floods can renew ecosystems, providing life-giving waters in more ways than one. Floods transport vital nutrients, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic material, to the surrounding land. When the water recedes, it leaves sediment and nutrients behind on the floodplain. This rich, natural fertilizer improves soil quality and has a positive effect on plant growth, thus increasing productivity in the ecosystem. Ancient civilizations first arose along the deltas of seasonally flooded rivers, such as the Nile in Egypt, because they provided fertile soil for farmland. Floods Recharge Groundwater Floods can replenish underground water sources. Floodwater gets absorbed into the ground then percolates through layers of soil and rock, eventually reaching underground aquifers . These aquifers supply clean freshwater to springs, wells, lakes, and rivers. Ecosystems rely heavily on groundwater during dry spells when it may be the only supply of freshwater available. A good supply of groundwater has a positive impact on soil health and leads to more productive crop and pasture lands. Floods Can Trigger Breeding Events and Migrations Floods can trigger breeding events, migrations, and dispersal in some species. In 2016, thousands of water birds flocked to the Macquarie Marshes in the Australian state of New South Wales. Flooding had filled their wetland habitat for the first time in years, triggering a mass breeding event. In Cambodia, monsoon rains cause an annual flood pulse on the Mekong River that prompts migrations for some animals. The floodwaters cause the Tonle Sap river, which connects the Mekong River to Tonle Sap lake, to reverse its flow, filling the lake. When floodwater enters the lake, it triggers fish migrations, supporting one of the world’s most productive fisheries. Floods Can Boost Fish Stocks Small seasonal floods can be beneficial to native fish stocks and can help those fish outcompete invasive species that are not adapted to the river’s cycles. Sediment deposited on riverbeds during floods can provide a nursery site for small fish. Nutrients carried by floodwater can support aquatic food webs by boosting productivity. Floods Bring Life to Wetlands Wetlands are an extremely important ecosystem; approximately 40 percent of the world’s species rely on them. They filter water, mitigate flooding, and act as a carbon sink . The Okavango Delta in Botswana is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site and one of the world’s largest, most important wetland habitats. The river captures rainfall from far to the north in the highlands of Angola. This causes a flood pulse that replenishes the wetlands at the height of the dry season, providing a lush oasis in the Kalahari Desert. National Geographic Explorer Steve Boyes, with a team of scientists and Explorers, has participated in a series of expeditions to trace the Okavango from source to sand to protect the waters of this unique habitat. Floods are a force of nature, and their consequences, both positive and negative, are strongly felt by affected ecosystems. Floods can be destructive to humans and the natural environment, but they also help to drive biodiversity and are essential to the functioning of many ecosystems. Whether you regard floods as good or bad, one thing is for certain: The world would be a very different place without them.

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Related Resources

A flood happens when water overflows or soaks land that is normally dry. There are few places on Earth where people don’t need to be concerned about flooding.

Ecology, Earth Science, Geology, Engineering, Geography, Human Geography, Physical Geography, World History

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A flood happens when water overflows or soaks land that is normally dry. There are few places on Earth where people don’t need to be concerned about flooding. Generally, floods take hours or even days to develop, giving residents time to prepare or evacuate . Sometimes, floods develop quickly and with little warning. A flood can develop in a many ways. The most common is when rivers or streams overflow their banks . These floods are called riverine floods . Heavy rain , a broken dam or levee , rapid icemelt in the mountains, or even a beaver dam in a vulnerable spot can overwhelm a river and send it spreading over nearby land. The land surrounding a river is called a flood plain . Coastal flooding , also called estuarine flooding , happens when a large storm or tsunami causes the sea to rush inland . Floods are the second-most widespread natural disaster on Earth, after wildfires . All 50 states of the United States are vulnerable to flooding. Effects of Floods When floodwaters recede , affected areas are often blanketed in silt and mud. This sediment can be full of nutrients , benefiting farmers and agribusinesses in the area. Famously fertile flood plains like the Mississippi River valley in the American Midwest, the Nile River valley in Egypt, and the Fertile Crescent in the Middle East have supported agriculture for thou sands of years. Yearly flooding has left millions of tons of nutrient-rich soil behind. However, floods have enormous destructive power. When a river overflows its banks or the sea moves inland, many structures are unable to withstand the force of the water. Bridges, houses, trees, and cars can be picked up and carried off. Floods erode soil, taking it from under a building's foundation , causing the building to crack and tumble. Severe flooding in Bangladesh in July 2007 led to more than a million homes being damaged or destroyed. Floods can cause even more damage when their waters recede. The water and landscape can be contaminated with hazardous materials, such as sharp debris , pesticides , fuel , and untreated sewage . Potentially dangerous mold can quickly overwhelm water-soaked structures. As flood water spreads, it carries disease . Flood victims can be left for weeks without clean water for drinking or hygiene . This can lead to outbreaks of deadly diseases like typhoid , malaria , hepatitis A, and cholera . This happened in 2000, as hundreds of people in Mozambique fled to refugee camps after the Limpopo River flooded their homes. They soon fell ill and died from cholera, which is spread by unsanitary conditions, and malaria, spread by mosquitoes that thrived on the swollen river banks. In the United States, floods are responsible for an average of nearly 100 deaths every year, and cause about $7.5 billion in damage. China's Yellow River valley has seen some of the world's worst floods in the past 100 years. The 1931 Yellow River flood is one of the most devastating natural disasters ever recorded—almost a million people drowned, and even more were left homeless. Natural Causes of Floods Floods occur naturally. They are part of the water cycle , and the environment is adapted to flooding. Wetlands along river banks, lakes , and estuaries absorb flood waters. Wetland vegetation , such as trees, grasses, and sedges , slow the speed of flood waters and more evenly distribute their energy. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) , the wetlands along the Mississippi River once stored at least 60 days of flood water. (Today, Mississippi wetlands store only 12 days of flood water. Most wetlands have been filled or drained.) Floods can also devastate an environment. The most vulnerable regions are those that experience frequent floods and those that have not flooded for many years. In the first case, the environment does not have time to recover between floods. In the second case, the environment may not be able to adapt to flood conditions. In August 2010, Pakistan experienced some of the worst floods of the century . The annual monsoon , on which Pakistani farmers and consumers rely, was unusually strong. Tons of water drenched the nation. The Indus River burst its banks. Because the river flows almost directly through the narrow country, almost all of Pakistan was affected by flooding. Millions of Pakistanis lost their homes, and almost 2,000 died in the floods. The province of Punjab, the country’s agricultural center, was particularly devastated. Rice, wheat, and corn crops were destroyed. The impact of the floods continued long after the monsoon dwindled and the Indus subsided . Pakistanis experienced food shortages, power outages, and loss of infrastructure . Outbreaks of cholera and malaria developed near resettlement camps. Experts estimated that the rebuilding effort would cost up to $15 billion. Sometimes, floods are triggered by other natural disasters, such as earthquakes and tsunamis. In January 2011, a major earthquake struck off the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. The quake triggered a massive tsunami, its crest reaching as high as 40 meters (131 feet). The tsunami crashed more than 10 kilometers (six miles) inland, flooding homes, businesses, schools, parks, hospitals, and the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant . A dam holding a reservoir burst, triggering another flood that destroyed homes. Rain that accompanies hurricanes and cyclones can quickly flood coastal areas. The rise in sea level that occurs during these storms is called a storm surge . A storm surge is a type of coastal flood. They can be devastating. The storm surge that accompanied the 1970 Bhola cyclone flooded the low-lying islands of the Ganges Delta in India and Bangladesh. More than 500,000 people were killed, and twice that number were left homeless. The strong winds associated with hurricanes and cyclones can also whip up and move huge amounts of water, forcing a storm surge far inland. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina brought huge amounts of wind and rain to the Gulf Coast of the United States. The city of New Orleans, Louisiana, was particularly hard-hit. The storm surge from Hurricane Katrina caused some of the city’s levees to break. Levees protect New Orleans from the Mississippi River. The river rushed in and flooded entire neighborhoods . Hundreds of people drowned, and the storm did more than $100 billion in damage. Artificial Causes of Floods Floods can also have artificial sources. Many man-made floods are intentional and controlled. Rice farmers, for instance, rely on flooded fields. Rice is a semi-aquatic crop—it grows in water. After rice seedlings are planted, farmers flood their fields, called rice paddies, in about 15 to 25 centimeters (six to 10 inches) of water. Rice paddies must be carefully engineered to allow controlled flooding. Strong dikes or levees, as well as regulated channels for irrigation , are required. Sometimes, engineers flood an area to restore an ecosystem . In 2008, the U.S.'s Grand Canyon was deliberately flooded. Water was released from dams on the Colorado River , which runs through the Grand Canyon. In 20 minutes, enough water was released from a dam at Lake Powell, Utah, to fill up the Empire State Building. Hydrologists , engineers, and environmentalists hoped that flooding the canyon would help redistribute sediment—which had been blocked up by dams—and create sandbars . Sandbars provide a wildlife habitat , often serving as a shallow bridge for animals such as beavers and bighorn sheep to cross from one side of the river to the other. Dams control the natural flood plains of lakes and rivers. Hydrologists may intentionally flood areas to prevent damage to the dam or increase the water supply for agriculture, industry , or consumer use. Engineers may also intentionally flood areas to prevent the possibility of worse flooding. When heavy rains caused the Souris River to flood in 2011, for example, the water level nearly reached the top of the Alameda Reservoir in Oxbow, Saskatchewan, Canada. Faced with the prospect of catastrophic flooding if the entire dam broke, engineers chose to release huge amounts of water. The reservoir remained intact , but the release contributed to massive floods in both Saskatchewan and the U.S. city of Minot, North Dakota. Not all man-made floods are intentional, however. The natural banks of rivers and streams shrink as people develop land nearby. River banks are valuable real estate for housing, businesses, and industry. From Shanghai, China, to San Antonio, Texas, U.S., rivers are the sites of busy urban areas . In rural areas, factories use river currents to distribute runoff . To accommodate such development , river banks are paved with hard, non-porous materials. Soils and plants are replaced with concrete and asphalt , which can’t absorb water. An unusual amount of rain can cause these rivers to quickly overrun their concrete banks. Australia is conducting an investigation of Brisbane’s development decisions after the Brisbane River overran its banks and flooded the country’s capital in 2011. Streets, downtown business districts, and bridges were destroyed. Water reached the third row of seats in the city’s rugby stadium. The flood waters were high enough at two meters (six feet) that bull sharks (Carcharhinus leucas) were spotted swimming up major streets. Concrete banks also increase the amount of runoff flowing to nearby bodies of water. This increases the risk of coastal flooding. Venice, Italy, for instance, is frequently flooded as tides from the Adriatic Sea seep into the heavily developed islands on which the city rests.

Hydrologists, engineers, and city planners constantly work to reduce flood damage. Shrubs and plants create buffers to prevent runoff from seeping into flood plains, urban areas, or other bodies of water. The thick vegetation between a river and a flood plain is called a riparian zone . Despite their efforts, people can also radically fail to control floods. The most famous flood in American history, the Johnstown Flood , was an artificial disaster. The tragedy killed 2,209 people and made headlines around the country. Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S., was on a floodplain at the meeting of the Stony Creek and Little Conemaugh rivers. As more people moved to the city, the banks of the rivers were paved and narrowed, causing yearly flooding. Residents were prepared for this. They watched the river and moved their belongings upstairs or onto rooftops as the city flooded. However, residents were not prepared for the additional flood from an entire lake. Located in nearby mountains, Lake Conemaugh was a reservoir created by the South Fork Dam. The lake was an exclusive retreat for members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club, which owned the dam. Lake Conemaugh contained 20 million tons of water. On May 31, 1889, the dam broke and the water rushed down the river at 64 kilometers (40 miles) per hour. Johnstown’s leading industry was steel production, and the flood waters quickly became choked with industrial debris—steel cables , chemical solvents , glass, rail cars. The flood destroyed a wire factory, filling the water with tons of barbed wire . About 80 people died when floating wreckage caught fire. Rebuilding Johnstown took years—the bodies of some victims were not found until 20 years later. Although the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club failed to maintain the dam, members of the club successfully argued that the disaster was an “ act of God .” Flood Classification Disaster experts classify floods according to their likelihood of occurring in a given time period. The most common classifications are a 10-year flood, a 50-year flood, and a 100-year flood . A 100-year flood, for example, is an extremely large, destructive event that would be expected to happen only once every century. But this is only an estimate. What “100-year flood” actually means is that there is a 1 percent chance that such a flood could happen in any given year. In recent decades, 100-year floods have occurred more frequently. This may be due to global warming , the current period of climate change . The Red River, which flows along the border of North Dakota and Minnesota, chronically floods. Anything over 8.5 meters (28 feet) is considered “ flood stage ” in the area. In 1997, the river crested at almost 12 meters (40 feet), a record level. In 2009, the record was beaten as the river flooded again, reaching a height of almost 12.5 meters (40.8 feet). The river flooded for 61 days. Flash floods can develop within hours of heavy rainfall. Flash floods can be extremely dangerous, instantly turning a babbling brook into a thundering wall of water that sweeps away everything in its path. Most deaths from flooding occur as a result of flash floods. Flash floods do not have a system for classifying their magnitude . Deserts are vulnerable to flash floods. Wadis and arroyos are dry river beds that only flow during heavy rains. Wadis can be dangerous during flash floods because they rarely have riparian zones to slow the flood’s energy. The city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, developed on the site of several wadis, and floods are frequent after heavy rains. More than 100 people died in flash floods in Jeddah in 2009. The floods developed so quickly that many victims drowned in their cars as streets became submerged . Predicting Floods Today, hydrologists study past flood patterns to help predict where and when floods will happen in the future. The predictions are only estimates, however. Weather , land, and climate can all change. An area’s soil and groundwater provide clues about flooding. Pedologists , or soil scientists, work with hydrologists to determine how much water a region’s earth can absorb. Agricultural soil, for instance, can absorb much more water than sand or bare rock . Groundwater is water already in the earth—in soil, underground reservoirs called aquifers , and even porous rocks. The type of soil and the amount of groundwater tells hydrologists how much more water the earth can absorb. Determining the amount of runoff in an area can also provide clues about the possibility of flooding. Runoff happens when there is more water than soil can absorb. Excess water overflows and runs on top of the land. Runoff can come from natural processes, such as icemelt. It can also come from human activity, such as excess irrigation, sewage, and industrial waste. Controlling runoff can help control floods. Hydrologists work with meteorologists to evaluate snowfall and snowpack . Melting snow contributes to runoff and increases groundwater levels. When snow melts quickly, the ground may not have time to absorb the water. Snowfall is one of the biggest contributors to flooding, and cannot always be predicted. Rapid snowmelt in the Andes Mountains, for example, creates mudslides and floods that disable railways and bridges. In 2010, snowmelt flooding trapped 4,000 tourists in towns near the remote historic site of Machu Picchu, Peru, for two days. Modern technology helps researchers predict floods. Doppler radar , for example, shows scientists where a storm is most severe. Doppler uses motion to detect weather patterns and create computerized images of rainfall. Automated gauges placed in rivers measure the height and speed of river currents, and the amount of rain received. Geographic information system (GIS) maps made with this information help scientists warn people if a river will overrun its banks and flood areas nearby. Preventing Floods For thousands of years, people have tried to prevent and control floods. Yu the Great , for example, is a legendary figure in Chinese history. Around 2100 B.C.E., Yu developed a way to control the devastating floods of the Yellow River. Yu studied data from previous Yellow River floods, noting where the flow was the strongest and flood plains were most vulnerable. Instead of damming the river, Yu dredged it—he and a team of engineers made river channels deeper to accommodate more water. Yu also oversaw the construction of numerous irrigation canals , which diverted the flow of the river’s mainstem during times of flooding. It’s not always possible to prevent floods, but it is often possible to minimize flood damage. Structures around rivers, lakes, and the sea can contain flood waters. Levees, runoff canals , and reservoirs can stop water from overflowing. Levees are usually made of earth. They are built by piling soil, sand, or rocks near a river’s banks. Levees may also be made of blocks of wood, plastic, or metal. They may even be reinforced by concrete. Levees in New Orleans, for example, use compacted earth, wooden beams, iron rebar , steel pilings, and concrete to hold back the mighty Mississippi River. Runoff canals are man-made channels. These structures are connected to rivers and direct excess water away from buildings and residences. One of the first canals in North America was constructed in about 200 B.C.E. to control the seasonal flood waters of Lake Okeechobee, Florida, U.S. Today, southern Florida is criss-crossed by runoff canals that redirect the flow of the Everglades , the “River of Grass” that runs from Lake Okeechobee to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. These canals redirect flood water away from urban areas in southern Florida and toward irrigation canals primarily used for fields of sugar cane . Natural and artificial reservoirs help prevent flooding. Natural reservoirs are basins where fresh water collects. Man-made reservoirs collect water behind a dam. They can hold more water in times of heavy rainfall. In April 2011, the government of Ethiopia announced plans for a large dam on the Blue Nile River. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which would be the largest dam in Africa, would create a reservoir capable of holding 67 billion cubic meters (2.4 trillion cubic feet) of water. The dam would prevent flooding downstream and provide the nation with hydroelectric energy . Conserving wetlands also reduces the impact of floods. Wetlands provide a natural barrier, acting as a giant sponge for storm surges and flood plains. The swamps and bayous of America's southern Louisiana and Mississippi, for instance, protect inland areas from both coastal and riverine flooding. Wetlands absorb the storm surge from hurricanes that hit the area from the Gulf of Mexico. Wetland riparian zones that line the Mississippi River protect fertile flood plains as the river overflows its banks. Many governments mandate that residents of flood- prone areas purchase flood insurance and build flood-resistant structures. Massive efforts to mitigate and redirect floods have resulted in some of the most ambitious engineering efforts ever seen. The Thames Barrier is one of the largest flood-control projects in the world. The Thames Barrier protects the urban area of London, England, from floods from storm surges that rush up the River Thames from the Atlantic Ocean. A series of 10 steel gates span the river near London’s Woolrich district. Each gate can hold back 9,000 tons of water, and disappears into the river when the water is calm. Perhaps the most extensive and sophisticated flood-prevention program is the Zuiderzee Works in the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a low-lying nation that is plagued by coastal flooding from the North Sea. Beginning in the 1200s, the Dutch began to erect a series of massive dikes and levees on its coast. In the 1900s, Dutch engineers worked to isolate and dam an entire inlet of the North Sea, the Zuiderzee. The largest part of the Zuiderzee Works is the Afsluitdijk , a 32-kilometer (20-mile) dike that cuts off the Zuiderzee from the North Sea. In addition to protecting the Netherlands from flooding, the Zuiderzee Works has drained parts of the Zuiderzee for development.

Apres Moi, le Deluge "After me, the flood" (in French, " apres moi, le deluge ") is a phrase attributed to the French King Louis XV or his mistress, Madame de Pompadour. The phrase is a casual way of expressing irresponsibility, something like "When I leave a project, I don't care if a catastrophe happens. It no longer concerns me."

London Beer Flood In 1814, vats containing 1.47 million liters (388,333 gallons) of beer spilled in the St. Giles area of London, England. Several homes and businesses were destroyed, and seven people drowned.

Costliest U.S. Floods As of July 2011, according to the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA): Hurricane Katrina (2005) $16.2 billion Hurricane Ike (2008) $2.6 billion Hurricane Ivan (2004) $1.2 billion Tropical Storm Allison (1989) $1.1 billion Louisiana Flood (1995) $585 million

Flood Myths Stories about great, Earth-drowning floods are common throughout world cultures. Many stories are remarkably similar: A deity warns a virtuous man about a catastrophic flood. The man builds a large boat, saving himself, his family, animals, and plants from the flood, which destroys the rest of Earth. Eventually, the man releases two birds to see if they bring back vegetation (which can only grow in soil). A bird returns, and human civilization is saved. The most famous version of this flood myth is probably the story of Noah, recorded in the Torah, the Bible, and the Quran. Another version is the Mesopotamian legend of Utnapishtim, recorded in the Legend of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest works of literature, predating the Torah by more than a thousand years. The Maasai legend of Tumbainot, the Altai myth of Nama, and the Hawaiian myth of Nuu are all remarkably similar.

Flood as a War Tactic In 1937, the Chinese government destroyed the dike at Huayuankou, on the Yellow River, to stop the Japanese invasion. The invasion continued by a different route, but the environmental devastation of the flooding was immense. At least 800,000 people drowned, and more than a million were made homeless. More than a thousand square kilometers of farmland was underwater. Flooding changed the course of the Yellow River to such an extent that its mouth moved dozens of kilometers to the south. Ten years later, the dike at Huayuankou was rebuilt and the Yellow River resumed its previous course.

Boston Molasses Flood In 1919, an 8.7 million-liter (2.3 million-gallon) tank of molasses exploded in the North End area of Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The wave of molasses crested as high as three meters (10 feet) and moved as quickly as 56 kilometers per hour (35 miles per hour). A train was lifted off its tracks, and 21 people died. Six months later, Boston Harbor remained brown with molasses.

"The Hero of Haarlem" A popular story concerns a young boy from the town of Haarlem, Netherlands, who notices a leak in the town's dike. The Spaarne River is flowing through a tiny hole in the barrier, threatening to flood the town. The young boy plugs the leak with his finger, and stays there all night. Adults find him the next morning and permanently repair the leak. Although first written about by an American (Mary Mapes Dodge, in her book Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates ), the story is from the Netherlands. The story has been changed and retold many times. In most versions, the dike is holding back the North Sea, not a river. In some versions of the story, the young boy freezes to death during his all-night stay at the dike.

Toxic Flood There are many examples of toxic materials, from pig manure to coal slurry, flooding communities. One of the most unusual was the 2010 rupture of a chemical storage tank at an aluminum factory in Ajka, Hungary. The bright-red sludge was responsible for at least four deaths, as well as the relocation of hundreds of Hungarians. The toxic sludge, which included lead and arsenic, was eventually diluted by the Danube River.

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Environment Go!

The Environment | Nature | Humans

17 Effects of Flooding on the Environment (Positive & Negative)

The effects of flooding on the environment cannot be overemphasised. From affecting our surroundings including plants and animals, flooding has a deleterious effect on humans causing communicable diseases most especially to children of which the end product can be death.

Flooding, believe it or not, is the deadliest form of extreme weather. There’s probably a lot you don’t know about floods and flooding. Floods are the most common natural disaster, and they occur when a large amount of water overflows and submerges normally dry terrain.

In coastal areas, floods are frequently produced by heavy rainfall, quick snowmelt, or a storm surge from a tropical cyclone or tsunami. Floods may wreak havoc on communities, causing death and damage to personal property as well as important public health infrastructure.

Floods impacted almost 2 billion people worldwide between 1998 and 2017 . Floods are most dangerous to those who live in floodplains or in buildings that aren’t flood-resistant, who don’t have flood warning systems or who aren’t aware of the danger.

Floods, droughts, tropical cyclones, heat waves, and severe storms have caused between 80 and 90 per cent of all reported natural catastrophes in the last ten years. Floods are becoming more frequent and intense, and extreme precipitation is anticipated to become more frequent and intense as a result of climate change.

Table of Contents

What is Flood?

A flood is a water that overflows and submerges normally dry terrain. They are by far the most prevalent natural occurrence of severe weather. Floods can take on a variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from a few inches to many feet of water. They might also appear suddenly or gradually. To better address the topic “What is a flood?” we’ll explain what each type of flood situation is.

There are five types of floods, according to the  National Severe Storms Laboratory .

They are as follows:

  • River Flood
  • Coastal Flood
  • Storm Surge
  • Inland Flooding
  • Flash Flood

As the list above indicates, flooding can occur everywhere, including both coastal and inland areas.

Let’s take a closer look at the many sorts of flooding.

1. What is a River Flood?

River flooding is the first sort of flooding we’ll look at.

What do we mean by river floods?

When water levels rise above the tops of river banks, a river flood occurs. This type of flooding can occur in any river or stream channel. Everything from streams to the world’s largest rivers falls into this category.

River floods can occur quickly or gradually. Smaller rivers, rivers with steep valleys, rivers that travel for a large portion of their length through impermeable terrain, and generally dry channels are more prone to sudden river flooding.

Low-rising river floods, on the other hand, are more common in major rivers with huge catchment basins. A catchment area is any area of land where rainwater collects and drains off into a common outlet, in case you didn’t know.

2. What is a Coastal Flood?

A coastal flood occurs when seawater inundates normally dry land areas along the shore.

3. What is a Storm Surge?

Storm surge is an unusual rise in water level in coastal locations that is greater than the astronomical tide. Storm surge is a particularly hazardous type of flooding. It has the potential to flood extensive coastal areas at once. It can also swiftly produce flooding. When a storm surge coincides with high tide, extreme flooding occurs.

Storm tides can reach over 20 feet as a result of this. Storm surge is the most deadly feature of any tropical system, according to  meteorologists . It is the most dangerous to both people and property. We’ve seen very disastrous storm surge consequences in the past. During Hurricane Katrina, for example, the storm surge killed nearly 1,500 people (directly and indirectly).

4. What is an Inland flood?

Inland flooding is sometimes referred to as urban flooding by some organizations. Inland flooding can also take the form of a flash flood. Flooding that occurs inland, rather than along the shore, is known as an inland flood.

Coastal flooding and storm surge are not, therefore, inland floods. Because there is nowhere for the water to go, inland floods are generally severe in metropolitan areas.

The following urban characteristics might cause urban flooding or exacerbate inland flooding:

  • Paved roads and streets
  • Low-capacity drainage equipment
  • Dense buildings
  • Low amounts of green space

5. What is a Flash Flood? 

A flash flood is the most well-known and devastating type of flood. Flooding that occurs within 6 hours, and commonly within 3 hours, of significant rainfall, is known as a flash flood (or other cause).

How Does Flooding Occur?

Floods are one of the most common natural disasters, but they are also among the most fatal and devastating. A human can be knocked down in 15 cm of water, while a car can be moved in 60 cm. Floods occur when there is nowhere for extra water to go. They’re worst when there aren’t enough drains in the area, but even complex stormwater systems can be overwhelmed by a large amount of rain in a short period of time.

Drought-stricken areas are even less able to cope with heavy rainfall, despite the fact that they are exactly what they require. The water-holding lakes or rivers might also become excessively full, causing them to overflow.

If the earth is too moist to absorb the excess water, a flood develops, resembling a large puddle. A regular puddle will gradually sink into the ground, but during a flood, puddles have nowhere to go, therefore they continue to expand and grow.

Floodwaters can sometimes cover roads, cars, and even houses. During a flood, everything looks different; it’s as if there’s a new pond or lake. You can also tell which parts of a town are taller and which are lower.

The high spaces jut out like islands into the sea, while the low spaces are fully submerged. Even after the rain stops, the floodwaters might take days or weeks to recede. However, it gradually soaks into the earth or evaporates and dissipates into the atmosphere. The flood will then be ended.

Major Causes of Flooding

As we mentioned above, there are plenty of different causes of flooding. While different flood types typically have different causes, most floods are caused by one of the following activities.

  • Heavy R ainfall
  • Overflowing R ivers
  • Broken D am s
  • Storm S urge and T sunamis
  • Channels with S teep B anks
  • A L ack of V egetation
  • Melting S now and I ce

1. Heavy R ainfall

Flooding can be caused by a variety of factors, the most common of which is heavy rainfall. When there’s too much rain or it comes down too quickly, there’s nowhere for it to go. Floods, such as flash flooding, can occur as a result of this. Heavy rainfall is the most prevalent cause of riverine and flash flooding.

Rivers take thousands of years to create. Every river is unique, and it forms in reaction to the following factors and they include the average quantity of local rainfall and runoff, the geography, vegetation, and soil types of the area.

With the exception of rainfall, these characteristics remain generally stable over time. Rivers have a maximum carrying capacity. Rainfall is higher than usual, resulting in a higher runoff. Because the river channel cannot carry this runoff, it spills over onto the land.

2. Overflowing R ivers

Floods can also be caused by overflowing rivers. However, large rains aren’t required for river flooding to occur. River flooding can occur when there is debris in the river or dams that prevent the water from flowing freely.

3. B roken D am s

Flooding can also be caused by broken dams. When heavy rains fall and water levels rise, older infrastructure can crumble. Dams failed, releasing torrents of water on unsuspecting residents. When Hurricane Katrina slammed New Orleans in 2005, this was part of what happened.

4. Storm S urge and T sunamis

Flooding is also caused by storm surges and tsunamis. Storm surge is a rise in seawater level above usual along a shore induced by a storm. Hurricanes and other tropical systems can cause sea levels to increase, burying previously dry coastal communities under several feet of water.

Tsunamis, on the other hand, are massive waves triggered by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions beneath the sea. As these waves move inland, they gain height and have the potential to send a large amount of water inland in coastal areas. Strong onshore winds are common during storms, which is caused by low air pressure.

Tropical cyclones are frequently accompanied by storm surges. A severe low-pressure system can cause a storm surge. During a storm surge, coastal flooding is likely. Furthermore, if a storm surge is combined with a riverine flood, the area and extent of flooding may be increased.

5. Channels with S teep B anks

Flooding can also be caused by channels with steep banks. When there is rapid runoff into lakes, rivers, and other basins, flooding is common. This is especially true in rivers and other waterways with steep slopes.

6. A L ack of V egetation

Flooding can be caused by a lack of vegetation. Vegetation can aid in the slowing of runoff and the prevention of flooding. There is little to stop water from running off and overflowing river banks and streams when there is a dearth of vegetation.

7. Melting S now and I ce

Flooding is also caused by the melting of snow and ice. When a big amount of snow or ice melts quickly, it usually has nowhere to go but low-lying places. These aren’t the only reasons for floods, but they are among the most common.

8. King tide

‘ King tide ‘ is a word used to denote a particularly high tide. The tidal cycle includes these tides, which are both natural and predictable. They happen at different times of the year depending on where you are and what year you are in. They can have a big impact where the sea meets the land, such as on beaches, estuaries, harbours, and other coastal areas.

Riverine flooding can be exacerbated and extended by king tides. Consider a town on the seaside with a river running through it. Parts of the town may be flooded if the river floods. Floodwater will have less opportunity to drain to the sea if the flood coincides with a high king tide. There’s a good chance that more of that town will be inundated, and at a higher level.

Positive Effects of Flooding on the Environment

Flooding might be regarded as a dangerous phenomenon but surely there are positive effects of flooding on the environment. the following are the positive effects of flooding on the environment.

  • Renewal of Wetlands
  • Returning Nutrients to Soil
  • Preventing Erosion and Maintaining Land Mass Elevation
  • Recharge and Replenish Ground Water
  • Flooding adds Nutrients to the Sea
  • Dislodges Accumulated Debris
  • Supplies Sediment to Deltas
  • Floods Can Trigger Breeding Events and Migrations
  • Floods Can Boost Fish Stocks

1. Renewal of Wetlands

The renewal of wetlands is one of the positive effects of flooding on the environment. Wetlands are an incredibly important environment, as they support nearly 40% of the world’s biodiversity. They operate as a carbon sink, filtering water and reducing flooding. Floods help to keep ecologically significant wetland areas healthy. Wetlands contribute to the health of water supplies and even have an impact on air quality.

Floods inundate wetlands, bringing with them more garbage. They also transport and deposit nutrient-rich sediments in wetlands, which support both plant and animal life. Flooding also contributes nutrients to lakes and streams, which aid in the maintenance of healthy fisheries.

2. Returning Nutrients to Soil

The returning of nutrients to the soil is one of the positive effects of flooding on the environment. Floods bring hazards, but they also provide nutrition and other life-sustaining elements. Seasonal floods can help ecosystems regenerate by supplying life-giving water in a variety of ways. Floodwaters transport nutrients and sediments to floodplains, which nourish the soil. They aid in the distribution and deposit of river sediments across broad swaths of land.

The nutrients in the topsoil are replenished by these river sediments, making agricultural regions more fruitful. Because recurrent flooding resulted in fertile, productive farmland, many ancient civilizations concentrated their inhabitants around the floodplains of rivers like the Nile, Tigris, and Yellow.

The Aswan High Dam in Egypt stopped the Nile from drowning major population centres downstream, but it did so at the expense of once-fertile agricultural regions along the river’s banks.

One of the most well-known benefits of floods is that it fertilizes the land. When the water recedes, fine sand, clay, silt, and organic debris are left behind. Floodplains are one of the most fruitful agricultural places on the planet because of this. As they cultivated along the Nile, ancient Egyptians were well aware of this principle.

As a result, they coined the phrase “The Gift of the Nile” to describe the Nile’s recurrent flooding. Furthermore, the flooded soil condition allows for the development of a variety of crops, including rice. To take advantage of this natural fertilization process, rice paddies are intentionally flooded. Rice is a staple meal for about half of the world’s population, and Asian communities have historically grown it in paddies.

3. Preventing Erosion and Maintaining Land Mass Elevation

The prevention of erosion and maintaining of landmass elevation is one of the positive effects of flooding on the environment. Soil deposited by floodwaters serves to avoid erosion and keep land masses elevated above sea level. The Mississippi River Delta’s rapidly retreating land is due to man-made flood controls and levees that prevent topsoil-replacing sediments from being deposited in the delta.

4. Recharge and Replenish Ground Water

The recharge and replenishment of groundwater are some of the positive effects of flooding on the environment. For freshwater, many population centres rely on groundwater and subsurface aquifers. Floodwaters soak into the earth and percolate down through the rock, replenishing underground aquifers that supply fresh water to natural springs, wells, rivers, and lakes. Floodwater does, in fact, recharge groundwater supplies.

It infiltrates the ground through aquifers where the terrain is permeable (loose rocks and sediment). This groundwater can subsequently run down rivers or emerge as natural springs on the land surface.

During dry seasons, when groundwater may be the sole source of fresh water available, ecosystems rely significantly on it. A plentiful supply of groundwater improves soil health and results in more productive crops and pasture lands.

5. Flooding adds Nutrients to the Sea

The addition of nutrients to the sea is one of the positive effects of flooding on the environment. Small seasonal floods, likewise, add nutrients to the sea. Plankton and other small organisms feed on them and multiply. They support higher aquatic food webs, including people, in this way.

6. Dislodges Accumulated Debris

The dislodgement of accumulated debris is one of the positive effects of flooding on the environment. Furthermore, the power of surging floodwater can loosen items that have become stuck in rivers and estuaries. Branches, logs, and stones commonly obstruct the flow of water in rivers. They can sometimes completely stop the flow of water, resulting in droughts downstream.

Floods can displace material that has blocked river flow, triggering droughts downstream. During the dry season, when water supplies are already scarce, this can be disastrous. Because of this, zebras, impalas, and other wildlife may succumb to thirst, hunger, and weakness. As a result, flooding during the rainy season not only fills rivers but also clears them of all undesired detritus.

7. Supplies Sediment to Deltas

The supply of sediment to deltas is one of the positive effects of flooding on the environment. Deltas arise when sediment accumulates faster than the sea can take it from rivers. They are very productive areas that also serve to protect the coast from waves and storms. Floodwaters deposit material on deltas when they reach estuaries, strengthening them.

8. Floods Can Trigger Breeding Events and Migrations

The trigger of breeding events and migration is one of the positive effects of flooding on the environment. In some species, flooding can cause breeding events, migrations, and dispersal. Thousands of water birds arrived in the Macquarie Marshes in New South Wales, Australia, in 2016. For the first time in years, flooding had inundated their marsh habitat, prompting a huge breeding event.

9. Floods Can Boost Fish Stocks

The boost of fish stocks is one of the positive effects of flooding on the environment. Small seasonal floods can assist native fish stocks to compete with invasive species that aren’t acclimated to the river’s cycles. Small fish can use the sediment deposited on riverbeds during floods as a nursery. Floodwater nutrients can help support aquatic food webs by increasing productivity.

Negative Effects of Flooding on the Environment

The negative effects of flooding on the environment are what people’s minds come to when we talk of flooding. so, with that let’s discuss some of the negative effects of flooding on the environment.

  • Loss of Lives and Property
  • Loss of Livelihoods
  • Decreased Purchasing and Production Power
  • Mass Migratio n
  • Floods Can Harm Wildlife
  • Floods Cause  Sedimentation  and  Erosion
  • Floods Carry Contamination
  • Floods Spread Diseases

1. Loss of Lives and Property

The loss of lives and property is one of the negative effects of flooding on the environment. Flooding has immediate consequences such as loss of life, property damage, agricultural devastation, animal loss, infrastructure failure, and worsening of health due to waterborne infections. Flash floods, which occur suddenly and with little or no notice, kill more people than slow-moving riverine floods.

2. Loss of Livelihoods

The loss of livelihoods is one of the negative effects of flooding on the environment. Economic operations come to a halt when communication linkages and infrastructure such as power plants, highways, and bridges are damaged or disrupted, resulting in dislocation and the dysfunction of regular life for a time far beyond the duration of the flooding.

Similarly, direct effects on production assets, whether in agriculture or industry, can stifle normal activity and result in job losses. Even in non-flooded areas, the effects of the loss of livelihood can be seen in economic and commercial activity.

3. Decreased Purchasing and Production Power

The decrease in purchasing and production power is one of the negative effects of flooding on the environment. Long-term consequences of infrastructure damage include disruptions in clean water and energy, transportation, communication, education, and health care.

Increased vulnerability of communities living in flood plains is caused by loss of livelihoods, reduced purchasing power, and loss of land value. The added costs of restoration, relocating people, and removing the property from flood-affected areas might divert money that would otherwise be used to keep production going.

4. Mass Migratio n

Mass migration is one of the negative effects of flooding on the environment. Flooding on a regular basis, which results in the loss of livelihoods, production, and other long-term economic consequences and sorts of suffering, can lead to mass migration or population displacement. Overcrowding in cities is exacerbated by migration to developed metropolitan regions.

These migrants augment the ranks of the urban poor, and many of them find up living in low-lying areas of cities prone to flooding and other hazards. Selective labour outmigration can occasionally result in significant socioeconomic issues.

5. Floods Can Harm Wildlife

The harm to wildlife is one of the negative effects of flooding on the environment. Flooding can be harmful to wildlife, resulting in drowning, disease spread, and habitat degradation. Hundreds of animals were killed in floods that flooded Kaziranga National Park in the Indian state of Assam in 2012, including several endangered one-horned rhinos (Rhinoceros unicorns). Even aquatic life can be harmed by unpredictable floods. For example, fish can be moved and their nests destroyed.

6. Floods Cause Sedimentation  and  Erosion

Sedimentation and Erosion are some of the negative effects of flooding on the environment. Floodwaters can change the terrain by eroding riverbanks and causing them to collapse, for example. Sediment becomes suspended in the water as floodwaters bring material from the eroding banks, which can deteriorate water quality and contribute to toxic algae blooms.

Sedimentation is the process through which suspended material settles out of the water, clogging riverbeds and streams, suffocating aquatic species, and destroying habitats. Ecosystems that are already degraded or highly modified are more vulnerable to erosion and sedimentation.

7. Floods Carry Contamination

The spread of contamination by floods carrying contaminants is one of the negative effects of flooding on the environment. Pollutants such as agricultural pesticides, industrial chemicals, garbage, and sewage can contaminate floodwater.

If tainted floodwater reaches the ocean, it can poison the water and harm delicate ecosystems like coral reefs. After being overwhelmed with toxic floodwater in February 2019, marine biologists feared for the Great Barrier Reef’s safety off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

8. Floods Spread Diseases

The spread of diseases is one of the negative effects of flooding on the environment. Floods are the most common source of infectious disease outbreaks caused by weather. Flooding increases the risk of waterborne diseases like hepatitis A and cholera spreading.

Floodwaters receding can leave stagnant pools of water, which are ideal breeding grounds for mosquitos that can spread malaria and other ailments. Floods also increase the incidence of zoonosis (diseases that humans can contract from animals), such as leptospirosis.

Effects of Flooding on the Environment- FAQs

How do floods affect animals.

Flooding puts animals at risk of drowning as well as other water-related injuries. Flood water also includes hazardous germs that can come from a variety of sources, including dead animals and trash, and disease epidemics can occur under these conditions adversely affecting animals.

Can a Water Body be Flooded?

When rain and/or snowmelt pulses migrate downstream, rivers and creeks which are water bodies get flooded. As a result, water overflows the channel’s banks and spills onto the adjacent floodplain. The amount of water and material that flows through a natural river channel shapes it.

What is the difference between flooding and run-off?

Runoff is the phase of the water cycle that runs overland as surface water rather than being absorbed into groundwater or evaporating whereas too much runoff causes flooding.

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The Advantages and Disadvantages of Flood Defenses

Flood defenses can prevent flooding to towns, fields, roads and other infrastructure.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Constructing Dams

Flooding can result in significant damage to the economy, environment, infrastructure and property. Flooding can be caused by small watercourses, direct surface runoff, the ocean, rivers and below ground drainage systems. There are many different types of flood defenses that have been developed over the years to protect against flooding. The managing of flood risk and the development and implementation of flood defenses has both advantages and disadvantages.

While flood defenses can be effective at protecting property and resources, they can also be very expensive to install and maintain. For instance, a 3-foot section of sea wall costs approximately $10,000. If this sea wall can prevent millions of dollars in damage each year, then the potential damage may outweigh the cost. However, if the area is not prone to flood damage, the cost may not be justified.

Many types of flood defenses, such as sea walls, offshore bar and rock revetments, provide significant protection to a coastline. In particular, they can deflect waves, absorb wave energy, protect the base of cliffs and stop beach erosion. These flood defenses protect homes in flood zones and decrease the rate of erosion, preventing foundation and structural damage in the long run. They also save money in terms of roadway infrastructure.

Natural Habitats

While flood defenses do protect homes, roads and cities, they also provide protection to natural habitats. Many shorelines are conservation areas, and flood defenses help preserve these areas. Several types of flood defenses, mainly those that are classified as natural systems, promote biodiversity. Wetlands that function as flood plains support a wide range of birds while ponds support newts, leeches and wading birds.

Economic Benefits

While flood defenses can be expensive to construct and maintain, there are several economic benefits to be had. By establishing floodplains and wetland systems to divert flood water, new economic possibilities develop. These wetlands can support tourism and freshwater fisheries. Wetlands also play an important role in water resources as these areas store and filter water pollutants. When floodplains are not full of water, they can grow grass and be used as grazing areas.

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Liz Tomas began writing professionally in 2004. Her work has appeared in the "American Journal of Enology and Viticulture," "BMC Genomics" and "PLoS Biology." She holds a Master of Science in food science from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry from the University of New Hampshire. She is pursuing her Ph.D. in oenology at Lincoln University.

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disadvantages of flood essay

Can we really prevent floods by planting more trees?

disadvantages of flood essay

Professor of Biomechanics, University of Hull

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Roland Ennos received funding from Red Rose Forest, Manchester's community forest, the Natural Environment Research Council and the charity Fund4Trees.

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As heavy rain continues to contribute to the devastating flooding in Cumbria, there have once again been calls – notably from the environmentalist George Monbiot – for the reforestation of our uplands, to help tackle rural flooding. The government has stated that it is funding the planting of 11m trees over the next five years to this end. It has also been suggested that trees could help reduce the number and severity of flash floods in cities, such as those that devastated Hull in June 2007.

To determine whether the humble tree really can provide such robust defences, we first need to understand the role they play in soaking up excess rain water. All floods, whether fluvial (when rivers burst their banks) or pluvial (when rainfall overwhelms drainage systems before it reaches rivers), are caused because the rain cannot soak into the soil fast enough. Instead, it runs rapidly over the surface of the land.

And while climate change is causing bigger and bigger storms , our alterations to the environment – especially to the ground surface – have been one of the major causes of the increased frequency of flooding events in modern times .

Urban jungle

Cities offer the most obvious example of how human development is making flooding worse. In urban areas, the ground surface is covered by impermeable buildings and roads, which rapidly divert rainfall into gutters and drains. When these reach capacity, flooding occurs.

disadvantages of flood essay

Computer modelling of water flows in cities suggests that for every extra 1% of impermeable land that is converted to woodland, runoff would be reduced by less than 0.5%. So even large-scale urban tree planting would only reduce runoff by a small amount – far lower than the 80% increase in storm size that climate change models predict for the UK.

disadvantages of flood essay

But these estimates assume that trees don’t affect how much water runs into drains from buildings and roads. Recent research we carried out in Manchester has suggested that trees planted on the streets can have a much greater effect than predicted, largely because rainfall can run from pavements into their planting holes.

Trees which are planted as a part of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) schemes – in which rainfall is deliberately diverted into swales , hollows and soakaways – could be even more effective. Unfortunately, though SUDS schemes are increasingly popular, little research has been carried out to monitor their effectiveness at reducing runoff.

Rural reforestation?

Rural areas of the UK have also undergone a massive transformation at the hands of humans. Forests, which would have provided natural vegetation cover, have been removed and replaced with arable crops (in the lowlands) or grass pasture (in upland areas such as the Lake District). Both of these types of agricultural land shed much more runoff than forests. Their thin soils are compacted by heavy farm machinery and the hooves of cattle and sheep. This reduces their permeability, making it more difficult for rain to penetrate the soil, while short-cropped grasses and flat fields offer little resistance to the overland flow of the runoff.

Reforesting such areas can have several benefits. For one thing, the tree canopy can intercept some rain, which can then evaporate before it even reaches the ground. But this only reduces the effective rainfall by a few millimetres, and the effect would be negligible in winter, when low temperatures reduce evaporation and deciduous trees have shed their leaves.

disadvantages of flood essay

The effects of trees on the soil are much more significant. Fallen tree leaves build up a deeper, humus-rich soil, which is criss-crossed by thick surface roots that intercept the overland flow of rain water. Meanwhile, sub-surface roots penetrate deep into the soil, drying it out and increasing its permeability. These mechanisms are well-established , and seem to point to trees as a possible solution to flooding.

Yet in rural areas, the effectiveness of reforestation in preventing flooding is still uncertain. A recent study at Pontbren, in Wales, showed that planting trees on former pasture can increase the rate at which water infiltrates the soil by a factor of around 70 in just seven years, thereby reducing overland flow. Unfortunately, the planting was done on a relatively small scale, and there was no way of comparing catchments with and without trees, so it was impossible to tell whether these changes had significantly reduced the speed at which water drained into the local streams, the water which would cause fluvial flooding downstream.

Ultimately, we lack the strong research base necessary to accurately quantify the anti-flooding benefits of planting trees: large scale studies cost money, and scientists have difficulty repeating experiments to confirm their findings, because no two catchments are the same. Most studies therefore depend on modelling, but even this is unreliable, because the models cannot be validated by experiment. There are also a range of other factors, which might be affecting our results, such as soil type, slope, and whether the trees are positioned next to streams and rivers. But based on what we know, it seems unlikely that reforestation would be a total panacea; after all, forested areas still flood.

And so it seems unlikely that reforestation alone would have been able to prevent the current floods in Cumbria. But by finding ways to measure the benefits of trees, we will be able to use them to their full potential, as a part of our engineered flood prevention schemes. By incorporating trees as part of the solution, we could add some green to the concrete jungles in which so many of us live, and transform our countryside into a lush and varied environment.

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Causes of Flood

Many things can cause a flood. The sudden melting of snow and ice produce river and lake floods. Flash floods are caused by too much rain in the mountains and in cities. Flash floods happen when heavy rain causes a lot of water to gather in a narrow space.

The effect of flooding on the value of property will cause real estate to plummet in a city. The first thing that people look for in cities and suburban areas is secure, disaster-free areas that are not near earthquake zones or vulnerable to flooding. Owing to inadequate public planning or exposure to bodies of water, there are areas or areas that are more vulnerable to floods.

What Causes Floods?

A flood is a water body that occupies ground that is ordinarily dry. Floods are widespread natural phenomena that can affect millions of people worldwide. Drinking water can also be polluted by flooding and contribute to illnesses. They are mostly caused by rivers, but floods can also occur from flooding lakes and seas.

When the dam bursts, the flood can take various forms, such as in the form of heavy rainfall. In addition, the loss of snow also contributes to floods. Floods add to an excessive and immense spread of water, but are not considered healthy for drinking purposes.

What are the Effects of Flood?

A flood happens when water from a river , lake , or ocean overflows onto the land around it . Too much rain or melting snow are the main causes of floods . Sometimes the soil in the ground can make a flood worse.

This is because when rain falls, the soil usually soaks it up like a sponge. But when the soil can’t soak up any more water., it will send extra water into a river. THis happens a lot during the winter because frozen soil can’t soak up water. Floods often happen when the warm weather of spring melts snow before the ground has time to thaw.

Environmental Effects of Flooding

Environmental impacts of floods and flood defence measures have only been addressed relatively recently. From the environmental point of view, floods are natural events, which bring both adverse and beneficial environmental effects. Seasonal flooding of the environment is a natural feedback mechanism serving to replenish floodplains and sustain their ecosystems . However, in most major major river basins, this natural feedback has been modified by humans, through catchment development, implementation of flood management projects and most recently climate change.

Flood destruction is instantaneous. Lives are lost, belongings are destroyed and crops are destroyed when rural areas are affected. Flooding does collateral harm, interferes with economic operations and does a lack of food. The consequences of floods on the value of land can lead to a decline in real estate value in areas that appear to experience flooding issues. There would be regions that are more vulnerable to flood problems. The flood issues in these areas improve their already deteriorated status.

Positive Effects of Floods

In the case of floods the results show the opposite cumulative effects; moderate floods have a positive impact on growth and severe floods a negative one. This is consistent with Fomby et al.’s finding that moderate floods have lasting positive effects on growth, while severe ones have a negative effect. They argue that moderate floods have a beneficial effect on growth through higher land productivity. However, the moderate floods have an initial negative effect, although not statistically significant.

The impact of deforestation and land use changes on the risk and severity of floods are the subjects of controversy. In evaluating the effect of Himalayan deforestation on the Ganges-Brahmaputra Lowlands, it was observed that, in the case of a severe weather occurrence, forests would not have stopped or greatly decreased floods. More general or outline research, however, agrees on the negative effects of deforestation on flood protection and the positive effects of wise land usage and reforestation.

Frequently Asked Questions on Causes of Flood

What happens during a flood.

Flooding is an overflow of water on usually dry land. During heavy rainfall, flooding can happen when ocean waves arrive on land, when snow melts rapidly, or when dams or levees fall. When excessive rainfall exceeds the ground’s ability to contain it, flash floods occur.

What is flood and its causes and effects?

A flood is a water body that occupies ground that is ordinarily dry. Floods are widespread natural phenomena that can affect millions of people worldwide. … Drinking water can also be polluted by flooding and contribute to illnesses. They are mostly caused by rivers, but floods can also occur from flooding lakes and seas.

What are the environmental impacts of floods?

Flooding has a number of environmental effects, including the degradation of animal habitats by floodwater. Rivers and wetlands may be polluted by tainted flood water. Plants on farms can be destroyed by silt and sediment.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of flooding?

Floods can carry benefits to an environment as well as drawbacks. Rich , fertile alluvium can be accumulated in agricultural areas by flooding. Flood water will also replenish channels for irrigation. Floods, on the other hand, will damage food sources, homes and transport services.

Why is flood dangerous?

Infectious diseases can also spread by standing flood waters, include environmental hazards, and cause casualties. Flooding causes more deaths per year than any other thunderstorm-related risk. When a car is pushed into dangerous flood waters, the most frequent flood deaths result.

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Home / Essay Samples / Environment / Disaster / Natural Disasters

Flood Disasters in Philippines: Causes, Effects, and Policies Needed to Implement

Essay details

Environment

Flood , Natural Disasters

  • Words: 1520 (3 pages)

Flood Disasters in Philippines: Causes, Effects, And Policies Needed to Implement

Please note! This essay has been submitted by a student.

Works cited

  • Balgos, D. (2019). The Disaster that is Manila. Southeast Asia Globe. Retrieved from https://southeastasiaglobe.com/the-disaster-that-is-manila/
  • Castro, A. (2020). Causes and effects of flooding in the Philippines: A review. Journal of Environmental Management, 265, 110516. doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110516
  • Department of Public Works and Highways. (2012). Flood Management Master Plan for the Greater Metro Manila Area. Retrieved from http://www.nia.gov.ph/sites/default/files/irrigsys-pdf/flood_management_master_plan_for_gmmla_2012.pdf
  • De Vera, E. (2020). Flood management in the Philippines: Policies and practices. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 11(2), 418-432. doi:10.2166/wcc.2019.105
  • Lontoc, A. B., & Paringit, E. C. (2015). Integrated flood management for Metro Manila's flood-prone communities. Journal of Environmental Science and Management, 18(2), 75-89. Retrieved from https://www.academia.edu/30334245/Integrated_Flood_Management_for_Metro_Manilas_Flood-Prone_Communities
  • Metro Manila Development Authority. (2018). Flood Control Projects. Retrieved from https://www.mmda.gov.ph/flood-control-projects
  • National Economic and Development Authority. (2017). Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022. Retrieved from https://www.neda.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/PDP-2017-2022-060617.pdf
  • Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. (2020). Weather Forecasting. Retrieved from https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/
  • Philippine Statistics Authority. (2022). Philippine Statistics Authority. Retrieved from https://psa.gov.ph/
  • World Bank. (2019). Enhancing Resilience to Natural Disasters and Climate Change: A Review of World Bank Group Experience. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/disasterriskmanagement/publication/enhancing-resilience-to-natural-disasters-and-climate-change

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disadvantages of flood essay

Injury Law & Business Litigation Specialists in Charlotte County, FL

Call today 941-979-9010, the pros and cons of the national flood insurance program.

If your home has been devastated by flood waters, you know the importance of flood insurance. If you have had flood damage and haven’t had flood insurance, you really know how challenging it can be to regroup after the flooding is over. Having homeowners insurance is  not enough .  A special flood insurance policy is required in order to get help in restoring your home after a flood. The National Flood Insurance Program (NIFP) works with certain communities to provide flood insurance to homeowners, but it is not an automatic benefit.

What Is the National Flood Insurance Program?

This federal program provides flood insurance to homeowners and renters. It is now up for  reauthorization . Congress needs to reauthorize the NFIP before midnight of November 30 th , this year. In the past, it has always been renewed. The program has had its problems with funding. It is in arrears, due to the heavy payouts, with the number of severe storms that have plagued the country in the last few years.

Advantages of the National Flood Insurance Program

People living in communities where flood insurance is required can get flood insurance which is backed by the  National Flood Insurance Program . This is good in the event of a flood. It only takes a little bit of flood water to cause a large amount of damage. In fact, just five inches can cause over $10,000 in damage to a home.

Disadvantages of the Program

The National Flood Insurance Program is  experiencing problems  because of the flooding in the past few years. The program had to pay out more money than it was able to take in. This is one reason why it is difficult to get private flood insurance. There are not enough people buying flood insurance to offset the payouts when there is a catastrophe.

Despite the program’s problems, it still provides assistance for some families that would otherwise not have the ability to recover from flood damage. It remains to be seen whether or not the program can recover sufficiently to help with future flood damage.

Damage from floodwaters can be devastating. Damage to persons or property from an accident can be devastating, also. At Frohlich, Gordon, & Beason, P.A. we practice personal injury law providing our clients with excellent legal services to help them get fairly compensated. If you or a loved one has a personal injury case, give us a call or stop by one of our offices to schedule a complimentary consultation. We have offices in Englewood, North Port, and Port Charlotte to serve the southwest Florida area.

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    Lives are lost, belongings are destroyed and crops are destroyed when rural areas are affected. Flooding does collateral harm, interferes with economic operations and does a lack of food. The consequences of floods on the value of land can lead to a decline in real estate value in areas that appear to experience flooding issues.

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    336 Words | 2 Pages On February 26, 1972 the Buffalo creek community was destroyed by a terrible flood. The flood caused many tears, pain and death. In the blink of an eye, people's lives completely changed; lives were lost, houses were gone and families were destroyed.

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    Disadvantages; Protects the area around the structure from inundation without significant changes to the structure: ... May fail or be overtopped by large floods or floods of long duration: In some cases, costs less than elevating or relocating the structure: May be expensive depending on height, length, availability of materials, and other ...

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