Flood

A flood is an overflow or over-surge of water on land. The causes of floods are diverse and may range from heavy rainfall to tsunamis and other natural or artificial catastrophes. In simple terms, when a flood occurs, it results in an overflow of water on land that is otherwise dry. The phenomenon of a flood is studied explicitly under the subject of Hydrology. We have to remember that there are a few positive consequences along with the devastating effects of flood. 

Before trying to answer the question – what are the effects of flood – let us try and explore the various kinds of floods first.

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Types of Floods 

There are five main types of floods– river floods, coastal floods, storm surge, flash floods, and inland flooding.

• River Flood- It is a type of flood that occurs when the water levels rise over the top of a riverbank. They happen across all rivers and streams.

• Coastal Floods– We can understand coastal floods as the inundation of typically dryland areas and coastal lands with seawater. The various causes of coastal floods include tidal surges, high winds, barometric pressure, and so forth.

• Storm Surge – It is the abnormal rise of water in coastal areas above the range of normal astronomical tide. Storm surge is a consequence of three factors – wind, waves, and barometric pressure.

• Inland Flooding – Also known as urban floods, inland floods occur in a place's interior regions either due to heavy rainfall or improper drainage systems.

• Flash Foods – We can understand a flash flood as an overflow of water that begins within three to six hours of intensely heavy downpour.

Now that we have talked about the various types of floods let us explore the causes and effects of floods.  

Causes of Floods 

Before going through the nuances of causes and effects of floods, let us begin by concentrating on the former. 

Needless to say, a heavy and unstoppable downpour is the primary cause of floods. Heavy rains can damage the draining system and result in floods. Likewise, river overflow is another cause of flooding. It happens when the volume of water upstream is more than the usual amount, and it flows downwards to low-lying areas causing havoc on the drylands. 

When discussing the causes of floods, we cannot ignore the impact of strong coastal winds on rivers. At times, massive amounts of seawater are carried onto dry coastal lands via strong winds. Similarly, the breaking and disruption of dams result in floods, as well. We can understand dams as man-made structures that hold the flow of river water from a highland area to a lowland. The power generated by the energy is utilized for various reasons. Unfortunately, the holding back of too much river water can cause the dam to break and cause floods. 

Lastly, it is noteworthy to remember that the melting of snow caps also results in floods which are termed snowmelt floods. Having talked about the causes of floods, let us try to answer the question – what are the effects of floods – in apt detail. 

Primary Effects of Flood 

It is imperative to keep in mind that there are various negative effects of floods. Let us analyze those effects. 

• Devastation – Unfortunately, floods can destroy a place in a matter of hours. A combination of cloudburst and heavy downpour coupled with a populated area directly implicates massive devastation, life loss, and property loss. Floodwaters have intense strength and speed, and they are impossible to stop after the flow begins. As such, it is crucial to be vigilant and closely observe the local streams and rivers at all times.

• Pollution – There are various after effects of flood and pollution are one of them. Floodwaters are barely clean, and they carry along with everything that comes in their way, such as debris, poisonous substances, and so forth. Thus, even when the floodwaters recede from an area, their impact remains for a long time. 

• Loss of Life and Property – Another significant negative impact of floods is the loss of precious lives and property. History has been witness to terrible floods that have resulted in substantial economic and personal losses. 

Thus, we can analyze the causes and effects of floods in apt detail. If you are interested, you can also look at the effects of flood and drought together to better grasp the nitty-gritty of common natural disasters.