Flood

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Flood is a natural disaster that occurs when water overflows onto normally dry land. This can happen due to a variety of reasons, including heavy rainfall, melting snow, dam failure, or coastal storms. Floods can cause significant damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and can even lead to loss of life.

Causes of Floods[edit | edit source]

Floods can be caused by several factors, including:

  • Heavy Rainfall: This is the most common cause of floods. When the amount of rainfall exceeds the capacity of the ground to absorb it, the excess water flows over the surface, leading to flooding.
  • Melting Snow: In areas with heavy snowfall, rapid melting of snow in the spring can lead to floods.
  • Dam Failure: Dams are built to hold back large volumes of water. If a dam fails, either due to structural issues or because the water level exceeds its capacity, it can lead to a catastrophic flood.
  • Coastal Storms: Storms that hit coastal areas can cause a surge in sea levels, leading to flooding in low-lying areas.

Effects of Floods[edit | edit source]

Floods can have several effects, including:

  • Loss of Life: In severe cases, floods can lead to loss of life.

Prevention and Mitigation[edit | edit source]

There are several ways to prevent and mitigate the effects of floods, including:

  • Flood Forecasting: This involves predicting when and where floods will occur, allowing people to evacuate in time.
  • Flood Control Infrastructure: This includes structures like dams, levees, and floodwalls that are designed to control the flow of water and prevent flooding.
  • Flood Insurance: This can help individuals and businesses recover financially after a flood.

See Also[edit | edit source]


Flood Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.


Contributors: Admin, Prab R. Tumpati, MD