Floods
Rivers flood when the amount of water contained in their channels exceeds it’s bankfull discharge
Bankfull Discharge - Maximum water volume that the channel can contain before it floods
Causes of floods
Physical | Human | |
|---|---|---|
Rainfall | Destruction of levees | |
Ice Melting | Breaking dams | |
Natural Disasters (Earthquakes bursting dams) | Climate change | |
Deforestation | ||
Urbanisation | ||
Straightening of river channels |
Flood Consequences
Environment
Soil erosion
Landslides
Soil contamination through sewage
Vegetation destroyed
Destruction of settlements
Loss of wildlife habitats
People
Loss of belongings
Damage to property
Disruptions of transport
Disease and stress
Insurance claims
Crops and animals are lost
Death and injury