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FLOODS

Definition
A flood occurs when water flows or rises above and beyond its normal place or
course.
Causes-It is caused due to
Natural causes-
• heavy rainfall,
• prolonged rain,
• Blocking of rivers due to landslides
• cyclones, Tsunami
• Narrowness of the river
• Change in course of river
Human causes-
• Bad drainage facility
• Inefficient engineering design
• Destruction of mangroves and trees
• Deforestation
Examples-
• Cyclones in Andhra Pradesh caused floods;
• Heavy rain in Maharashtra caused flooding in low lying areas that disrupted
life and property.
• Flood like situation in Delhi recently – due to release of water from upper
regions.
Types
Types Cause /Definition

1. Riverine floods When river overflows its banks.

2. Coastal floods Caused by strong tides, cyclones and tsunami.

3.Urban floods Caused due to lack of proper drainage systems

4. Flash floods Occur suddenly due to heavy rains, melting of

snow or dam burst.
Areas
• Northern India
• Eastern India
States-
• Uttar Pradesh
• Bihar
• West Bengal
• Assam
• Orissa
Rivers-
Ganga Brahmaputra Basin – Most flood prone( North east)
Mahanadi river- Orissa
Effects-
1. Physical damage-
• Built structures are damaged,
• Boats get damaged.

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2. Causalities and effect on public health-

• People and livestock die.
• Outbreak of epidemics
3. Shortage of food supplies-
• crops are destroyed- soil becomes infertile, soil erosion
• crop storage areas are destroyed due to water,
4. Contamination of water, lack of clean drinking water.

Benefits
1. Increases soil fertility of floodplain
2. Raises ground water supply- water table level increases
3. Promotes plant growth
4. slows the decay of dead plant material

FLOOD PREPARDENESS
BEFORE FLOOD OCCURS DURING/after FLOODS

1 Know the route to the nearest safe Drink boiled water

. shelter

Keep first aid kit ready Use bleaching powder to disinfect the
2 surrounding
Keep strong ropes, torch, candles Keep food covered
3 handy
Stock dry food , salt, sugar ,fresh Avoid entering floodwater
4 water
Have Water proof bags to store Use rice water ,coconut water during
5 clothing and valuables diarrhea.

In case of flood warning If you need to evacuate

1 Listen to local radio/ watch TV foe Pack clothes, essentials, meds to take to
latest info safe areas

2 Be alert on flood warnings given by Inform about your movements to local

local authorities authorities

3 Keep dry food ready Raise furniture , electrical machinery

4 Identify safe places Turn off the power supply

5 Keep emergency kit ready Put sandbags in toilet bowl, cover all
drains

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